US President Donald Trump has brokered a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, including a mass prisoner swap.
The truce, confirmed by both Kyiv and Moscow, will halt all fighting for three days and allow 1,000 prisoners from each side to be exchanged. Trump said he personally requested the agreement and thanked Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy for accepting it.
The announcement comes after both sides accused each other of violating earlier ceasefires ahead of Victory Day celebrations in Russia. Russian officials reported drone strikes near Moscow, while Ukraine reported over 140 attacks on its positions, including more than 850 drone strikes in the first hours of the truce.
Russia had planned its Victory Day parade without military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades and placed Moscow on high alert, warning of potential retaliatory strikes. Ukraine had earlier called for an indefinite truce starting May 6. European Council President António Costa highlighted potential EU mediation efforts, with Zelensky supporting talks.
The US has mediated prior rounds between Russia and Ukraine, though progress has been slow amid global crises. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains ready to facilitate negotiations and is monitoring the situation closely.
The ceasefire marks a brief pause in fighting and sets the stage for prisoner exchanges, though tensions remain high on the frontlines.