US President Donald Trump speaks during a Military Mother’s Day Event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images) (Image: KENT NISHIMURA, AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia ahead of Victory Day – as he declared that the gruelling four-year conflict is drawing closer to its end.
The US president confirmed he had requested the halt in hostilities from May 9 until May 11, expressing his gratitude to both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky for agreeing to the pause.
Breaking the news on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine. The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II.
“This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country. This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President of the United States went onto say this could mark the start of the end of the conflict. He wrote: “Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Russian Defense Ministry reported that they had intercepted 71 Ukranian drones above Russian soil in the hours before the ceasefire was announced. The six hour bombardment saw drones targetting Moscow along with serveral other regions.
In a statement Russian Defense Ministry said that 71 drones were destroyed on Friday May 8. “On May 8 of this year, between 2:00 PM Moscow time and 8:00 PM Moscow time, air defense alert systems intercepted and destroyed 71 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the Kaluga, Tula, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Ryazan, Rostov, Voronezh, and Oryol regions, the Moscow region, and the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories, as well as over the Black Sea,” the statement said
The sustained drone attack was launched ahead of the Victory Day parade event planned for Moscow on May 9. There had been growing concerns in Russia that Ukraine could target the city during the Victory Day parade, after a Ukrainian drone struck an elite high-rise building near the Kremlin this week.
President Zelensky confirmed the ceasefire in a statment on X and said that targetting Moscow’s Red Square was less important than the lives of Ukranian prisoners. Russia and Ukraine have agreed a 1,000 for 1,000 prisoner exchange alongside the ceasefire.
He wrote: “In recent days, there have been many appeals and signals regarding the setup for tomorrow in Moscow in connection with our Ukrainian long-range sanctions. The principle of symmetry in our actions is well known and has been clearly communicated to the Russian side.
President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Trump for his support in securing a ceasefire (Image: Getty)
“An additional argument for Ukraine in determining our position has always been the resolution of one of the key humanitarian issues of this war – namely, the release of prisoners of war. Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home. That is why today, within the framework of the negotiating process mediated by the American side, we received Russia’s agreement to conduct a prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000.
“A ceasefire regime must also be established on May 9, 10, and 11. Ukraine is consistently working to bring its people home from Russian captivity. I have instructed our team to promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange.”
He went on to pay thanks to Trump and said: “I thank the President of the United States and his team for their productive diplomatic involvement. We expect the United States to ensure that the Russian side fulfills these agreements. Glory to Ukraine!”
