Trump says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to ceasefire: NPR

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump stated Friday that the leaders of Russia and Ukraine have agreed to his request for a three-day ceasefire and an change of prisoners, including that such a halt to hostilities could possibly be the “beginning of the end” of the lengthy battle between them.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Yuri Ushakov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s overseas affairs adviser, each confirmed the settlement.

“I asked and, President Putin agreed. President Zelenskyy agreed — both readily,” Trump stated as he departed the White House to attend a dinner at his Virginia golf membership. “And we have a little period of time where they’re not going to be killing people. That’s very good”

Trump earlier Friday had introduced on social media that the ceasefire would run Saturday by means of Monday. Saturday is Victory Day in Russia, a vacation that commemorates the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

“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,” Trump wrote. “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.”

The Republican president stated the ceasefire features a suspension of all kinetic exercise and the change of 1,000 prisoners by every nation.

Russia had introduced a ceasefire for Friday and Saturday, however it shortly unraveled, with each side blaming the opposite for the continued combating, simply as that they had when Ukraine’s personal unilateral ceasefire had swiftly collapsed earlier within the week.

Trump stated he made his request for the ceasefire “directly” to the 2 presidents. “Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War,” he stated.

Trump added that talks proceed over ending the battle that started in February 2022 “and we are getting closer and closer every day.” Trump has gone again and forth over whether or not the battle will finish, at instances expressing optimism and at different instances saying Russia and Ukraine must be left to battle it out to the bitter finish.

Zelenskyy stated Ukraine’s choice on how to interact with these discussions was formed partly by the prospect of liberating its prisoners. Ukraine has made the return of prisoners of battle to a central demand all through the battle.

“Red Square matters less to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war who can be brought home,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. Red Square is the place Russia holds its conventional navy parade to rejoice Victory Day, one of many greatest holidays of the yr.

After releasing his assertion, Zelenskyy issued a proper presidential decree “authorizing” Russia to maintain the parade, declaring Red Square off-limits for Ukrainian strikes at some point of the occasion. The framing of the decree appeared designed to underscore Kyiv’s declare that it holds efficient concentrating on attain over the Russian capital, whereas publicly tying Ukrainian restraint to the ceasefire phrases.

FILE – Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system launchers roll through the Victory Day navy parade in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2025, throughout celebrations of the eightieth anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany through the World War II.

Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

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Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later shrugged off Zelenskyy’s decree as a “silly joke.”

“We don’t need anyone’s permission to be proud of our Victory Day,” Peskov instructed reporters.

Zelenskyy stated the deal for a ceasefire was reached by means of a US-mediated course of and thanked Trump and the American workforce for what he referred to as efficient diplomatic engagement. He stated Ukraine anticipated Washington to maintain Russia to the phrases of the settlement.

“We are counting on the United States to ensure that Russia fulfills its commitments,” Zelenskyy stated.

Zelenskyy stated he had instructed his workforce to put together every thing mandatory for the change immediately.

Trump’s announcement got here hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a way more somber tone about negotiations to halt Russia’s 4-year-old battle in Ukraine, saying US mediation efforts have not led to a “fruitful outcome” to date.

“While we’re prepared to play whatever role we can to bring it to a peaceful diplomatic resolution, unfortunately right now, those efforts have stagnated,” Rubio instructed reporters on the finish of a go to to Rome and the Vatican. “But we always stand ready if those circumstances change.”