Trump announces three-day ceasefire, prisoner swap between Russia, Ukraine

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square

More than four years into the war between Russia and Ukraine, President Donald Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire between the two countries.

The ceasefire will go into effect May 9-11, marking the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day during World War II.

“This ceasefire will include 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 [the] agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” Trump posted on Truth Social Friday afternoon. “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.”

It is estimated that the number of casualties (killed, injured and missing) on both sides could be as high as two million since the war began in February 2022, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Since taking office for the second time, Trump has worked to bring an end to the deadly war, meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy, the latter multiple times.

The president has expressed his frustration over ending the war, with Putin pulling away each time Trump believed a deal could be reached between the two Eastern European countries.