Trump announces three-day truce agreed by Zelenskyy and Putin, says prisoner swap planned
US President Donald Trump has announced a three-day truce in the war between Ukraine and Russia and said a prisoner exchange will take place.
Source: Trump on his social media platform Truth Social, as reported by European Pravda
Details: The ceasefire is set to begin on 9 May and last for three days.
Quote: "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." [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.]
Details: Trump added that the ceasefire will include a halt to all combat operations as well as an exchange of 1,000 POWs from each side.
The US president said that he personally proposed the arrangement. It appears from his comments that the leaders of both countries had agreed to it.
Quote: "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." [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president – ed.]
Details: The Office of the President of Ukraine told journalists that a statement on the matter would be issued shortly.
Background:
- On 4 May, Russia's Ministry of Defence unilaterally declared a "truce" for 8 and 9 May and warned that if the Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May is "disrupted", it will launch a large-scale missile strike on central Kyiv.
- On the morning of 8 May, Zelenskyy stated that Russia had violated its own "truce".
- Ukraine had called for an immediate ceasefire with Russia starting from 6 May, but Russia did not agree.
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