Trump announces three-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

US President Donald Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, raising fresh hopes for easing a war that has continued for more than four years.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday (May 8), Trump said the ceasefire would begin on Saturday and remain in effect through Monday, covering May 9, 10 and 11.

“I am pleased to announce that a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine will take effect,” Trump wrote, describing the move as part of ongoing efforts to end the prolonged and deadly conflict.

Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the temporary truce in a post on X, saying the ceasefire was arranged under US-led peace initiatives aimed at de-escalating the war.

The Kremlin later indicated that the agreement followed a recent phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump.

Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov said the two leaders discussed the possibility of a ceasefire during Russia’s Victory Day commemorations marking the Soviet Union’s role in World War II.

Russia annually celebrates Victory Day on May 9 and had earlier announced a unilateral two-day ceasefire linked to the observance. Ukraine, however, claimed Moscow had previously ignored Kyiv’s own ceasefire proposals.

Trump thanked both Putin and Zelenskyy for agreeing to the temporary halt in fighting and expressed hope that the breakthrough could pave the way for ending what he described as a “long, brutal and devastating war.”