President Trump Announces Surprise Ceasefire Between Russia & Ukraine

In what feels like the first big development in the Russia-Ukraine war for quite some time, President Trump just announced a 3-day ceasefire.

The ceasefire will take place May 9-11 while both nations celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory in WWII.

In addition to the ceasefire, a prisoner exchange will take place between the two countries.

President Trump announced the ceasefire in a post on Truth Social, which the White House shared:

"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…" – President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/guFxkQRXwJ

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 8, 2026

Read President Trump’s full statement on Truth Social here:

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. 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

As President Trump said, hopefully this marks the beginning of the end of the long Russia-Ukraine war.

Fox News reported further on the ceasefire:

Russia will celebrate Victory Day on Saturday, marking the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. It is one of Russia’s most important national holidays.

However, festivities have been scaled back amid the war as Moscow opted for a low-key celebration. This year’s traditional military parade won’t feature tanks, missiles, or other military equipment for the first time in decades.

Russian military forces have been engaged in a slow and bloody conflict with Ukraine, which was supposed to deliver a quick victory. The war has stalled amid the Kremlin’s unforeseen resistance by Ukraine’s smaller military.

On X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange of prisoners captured during the four-year conflict, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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,” he wrote. “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.”

Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for his diplomatic involvement in the process and said he hopes the United States will make sure Moscow abides by the agreement.

Trump made ending the war one of his signature promises during his presidential campaign.