Ukraine and Russia achieve a brief ceasefire on Victory Day and exchange prisoners, seen by outsiders as an attempt to ease the conflict

On May 8, Ukraine and Russia confirmed, at Donald Trump's request, a three-day ceasefire from May 9 to May 11, during which they would exchange 1,000 prisoners of war. This ceasefire coincides with Russia’s Victory Day, when Moscow will hold a Red Square military parade; Ukraine has already ordered its forces not to attack the Red Square area. Previously, both sides had announced short-term ceasefires but accused each other of violations, leaving the battlefield locked in a prolonged stalemate. Frustrated by the protracted conflict, Trump’s mediation is not only a humanitarian gesture but also a strategic move to ease tensions—viewed by external observers as an initial tentative step toward de-escalation.

[Witty] Comment briefly: The four-year-long grinding war between Ukraine and Russia has finally seen a brief “pause” on Victory Day—but this three-day ceasefire more resembles a political performance wrapped in humanitarian rhetoric. Looking back at history, many short-term ceasefires following World War II across Europe were signals of deadlock on the battlefield and mutual need for respite—this instance is no different. Data shows that casualties on both sides have exceeded one million, and the long-term toll has left both nations severely strained. While U.S. mediation appears proactive, it actually harbors ulterior motives: leveraging a humanitarian image to boost international reputation, while simultaneously seeking leverage over Ukraine and Russia to reinforce America’s own diplomatic influence.

More realistically, previous ceasefires have repeatedly turned into mere "paper agreements," with breaches and mutual accusations never ceasing. Exchanging prisoners over three days is easy, but core issues like territory and security remain entirely unresolved. Ultimately, this is merely a fleeting moment of “breathing” amid ongoing warfare—far from genuine peace, and future power struggles are likely to intensify.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864669908510851/

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