Trump announces Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and says end of war is near | World | News

Donald Trump declared a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia ahead of Victory Day, declaring that the grueling four-year conflict was nearing its end.

The US president confirmed that he wanted a cessation of hostilities from May 9 to May 11 and expressed 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 (May 9, 10 and 11) ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but equally in Ukraine because they were also a big part and factor of World War II.”

“This Ceasefire will include the suspension of all kinetic activities, as well as a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country. This request was made directly by me, and I greatly appreciate its acceptance by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The US President said this could be the beginning of the end of the conflict. He wrote: “I hope this is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly and difficult War. Negotiations are continuing and we are getting closer every day to ending this Great Conflict, the greatest since World War II. Thank you for your interest in this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 71 Ukrainian UAVs were stopped over Russian territory in the hours before the declaration of the ceasefire. In the six-hour bombardment, unmanned aerial vehicles were seen targeting Moscow and many other regions.

In the statement made by the Russian Ministry of Defense, it was stated that 71 UAVs were destroyed on Friday, May 8. “On May 8 this year, between 14.00 Moscow time and 20.00 Moscow time, air defense alarm 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 and the Moscow region. The statement said that they were located over the Krasnodar and Stavropol regions, as well as over the Black Sea. was stated.

The sustained drone strike was launched ahead of the Victory Day parade event planned for Moscow on May 9. After a Ukrainian drone attacked an elite high-rise near the Kremlin this week, there were growing concerns in Russia that it might target the city during Ukraine’s Victory Day parade.

President Zelensky confirmed the ceasefire in a statement to X and said that targeting Moscow’s Red Square was less important than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners. Russia and Ukraine agreed on a ceasefire as well as an exchange of 1,000 prisoners in exchange for 1,000 prisoners.

He wrote: “In recent days, there have been many calls and signals regarding fiction for tomorrow in Moscow in connection with our long-term sanctions against Ukraine. The principle of symmetry in our actions is well known and has also been clearly conveyed to the Russian side.”

“Another prominent argument for Ukraine in determining our position has always been the solution of one of the most important humanitarian problems 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 negotiation process mediated by the American side, we received from Russia an agreement on 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 constantly working to liberate its people from Russia’s captivity. I have instructed our team to immediately prepare everything necessary for change.”

He expressed his gratitude to Trump and said: “I thank the US President and his team for their productive diplomatic participation. We expect the US to ensure that the Russian side fulfills these agreements. Thank God for Ukraine!”