Trump announces three-day Ukraine-Russia ceasefire

WASHINGTON, May 9: Russia and Ukraine confirmed on Friday a US-brokered truce and a large prisoner swap over May 9-11, when Moscow celebrates its World War II victory, after trading drone strikes and declaring unilateral ceasefires in the run-up.
US President Donald Trump first announced a three-day truce between the warring sides, saying he hoped it could lead to a long-term deal to end the war.

Russia had previously announced a two-day unilateral ceasefire to mark its WWII victory holiday on May 9. Ukraine earlier stated that it too had offered a truce, but it had been ignored by Moscow.

The truce would also include a mutual swap of 1,000 prisoners each, said Trump, who has struggled to end the four-year conflict he once pledged to solve within a day of taking office last year.

"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 said on his Truth Social network.

"This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President VolodymyrZelenskyy," said the US president.

"Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War."

Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelensky said a ceasefire "must be established," ordering the army not to target Moscow's Red Square on May 9, the venue for its annual victory parade, held this year without military hardware.    �"AFP