President Volodymyr Zelensky has officially confirmed that Ukraine and Russia have reached a three-day ceasefire agreement, facilitated by intensive diplomatic mediation from the United States. The truce marks a significant pause in a conflict that has spanned over four years.
In a statement released via Telegram, President Zelensky emphasized that humanitarian concerns remain the cornerstone of Ukraine’s negotiating position.
Terms of the Agreement
The agreement, as outlined by the Ukrainian President and reported by Reuters, includes two major components:
- Three-Day Truce: A total cessation of hostilities will be observed on May 9, 10, and 11.
- Mass Prisoner Swap: In what is being described as one of the largest humanitarian exchanges of the war, both nations will exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each (a 1,000-for-1,000 format).
Official Statement
President Zelensky highlighted the importance of the American role in securing this window of peace and the return of Ukrainian servicemen.
“Within the framework of the negotiation process mediated by the American side, we received Russia’s agreement to carry out an exchange of prisoners of war in the 1,000-for-1,000 format,” Zelensky wrote. “A ceasefire will also be established on May 9, 10, and 11.”
Diplomatic Context
The announcement follows earlier remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who spearheaded the initiative. While the ceasefire is temporary, it is seen by international observers as a critical “test case” for ongoing broader peace talks aimed at finding a permanent resolution to the war.
For Ukraine, the return of 1,000 citizens represents a major domestic priority. As the truce takes effect tomorrow morning, monitoring teams will be watching closely to ensure that the “silence” on the frontlines is maintained across all sectors.
