"A three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, announced by US President Donald Trump, took effect from May 9 to May 11, coinciding with Russia's Victory Day commemorations."
Ceasefire Announcement and Confirmation
President Trump announced the ceasefire on May 8 via Truth Social, stating that the agreement had been reached with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Trump, the ceasefire included a suspension of all kinetic activity and a prisoner swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country.
Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed the agreement, citing the potential to free prisoners of war. Yuri Ushakov, an adviser to Putin, also confirmed Russia's agreement. The ceasefire coincided with Russia's Victory Day holiday, which commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Trump expressed hope that the ceasefire would mark the "beginning of the end" of the conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Context and Previous Ceasefire Attempts
Russia had separately announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 8-9 to mark its World War II commemorations. Ukraine had proposed an open-ended ceasefire and urged Russia to reciprocate. Earlier ceasefire attempts have been violated, with both countries independently declaring truces and accusing each other of breaches. Last year, Putin announced a three-day ceasefire, which Kyiv did not agree to.
Reactions and Statements
Zelensky thanked the United States for mediation and stated Ukraine expects Washington to hold Russia to the terms. He issued a decree declaring Red Square off-limits for Ukrainian strikes during the parade, a move dismissed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as a "silly joke."
Earlier on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described US mediation efforts as having "stagnated" and lacking a "fruitful outcome" so far.
Accusations of Ceasefire Violations
Following the commencement of the ceasefire, Russia and Ukraine traded accusations of violations.
Russian Accusations:
- Russia's Ministry of Defense accused Ukraine of over 1,000 ceasefire violations, including attacks on civilian targets in several Russian regions and strikes on Russian military positions.
- Russia's Moscow-installed leader in occupied Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, stated that two people were injured by Ukrainian shelling in the region.
- The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its forces responded in kind.
Ukrainian Reports:
- Ukrainian officials reported civilian casualties but did not specifically accuse Russia of violating the ceasefire.
- In the Zaporizhzhia region, one person was killed and three were injured by artillery and drone strikes, according to regional head Ivan Fedorov.
- In the Kherson region, seven people were wounded over a 24-hour period, according to regional head Oleksandr Prokudin.
- In the Kharkiv region, five people were injured when a drone damaged an apartment block, according to regional head Oleh Syniehubov.
- Ukraine's air force reported it shot down all 27 drones launched by Russia overnight.
Sticking Points in Peace Talks
Peace talks have stalled, with the status of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region remaining a central point of contention. Russia currently occupies approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.
- Moscow demands Kyiv withdraw troops from parts of the Donetsk region not captured by Russian forces. Russia has indicated a willingness to use force if diplomatic solutions fail.
- Ukraine refuses to cede territory under its control. President Zelensky has consistently rejected surrendering Ukrainian territory for peace.
- Ukraine's top negotiator and former defense minister Rustem Umerov arrived in Miami for meetings with US representatives as talks stalled.
Ongoing Diplomatic Engagements
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have continued through multiple channels. President Zelensky has engaged with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Senior US military officials, including US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, arrived in Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian officials.
Reports have indicated that the United States and Russia have privately developed proposals to end the conflict, with plans reportedly involving Ukraine ceding certain territories and weaponry, alongside a reduction in its armed forces. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy for Putin, are believed to have been involved in the development of a 28-point peace plan.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia had no official communication from the US regarding a proposed peace plan and confirmed that Russia remains "completely open to peace talks." He maintained that any agreement must address the "root causes of the conflict."
Conflict Background
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. As the conflict entered its fifth year, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that Russia's initial objectives had not been fully achieved and indicated that military operations would continue. President Zelensky stated that Ukraine had preserved its independence and statehood and affirmed Ukraine's commitment to achieving a "strong, dignified, and lasting peace."
The United Nations has verified approximately 15,000 Ukrainian civilian deaths, noting that the true number is likely higher. The estimated cost for post-war reconstruction over the next decade is $588 billion, according to a joint report by the World Bank, EU, UN, and Kyiv.