Trump announces three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, with ongoing clashes continuing ahead of Moscow's parade
U.S. President Trump announced on Friday, May 8, that Russia and Ukraine would implement a three-day ceasefire starting Saturday, May 9, and expressed hope that this truce would mark the "beginning of the end" of the war.
According to AFP, Russia had previously announced a ceasefire around the May 9 "Victory Day" commemoration events, but fighting continued between Kyiv and Moscow even after this unilateral declaration, with both sides persisting in launching drone attacks against each other.
On Friday, Trump wrote on his self-hosted social platform, Truth Social: "Hope this becomes the beginning of the end of this long, bloody, and difficult war." He also stated that during this ceasefire period, a large-scale prisoner exchange would take place, with each side releasing 1,000 prisoners.
Trump claimed that the prospect of ending the war is "getting closer and closer." Since this week, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators have resumed contact in Florida, United States.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy subsequently confirmed on Telegram that the ceasefire agreement was reached under U.S. leadership, and that a prisoner swap was already planned. Zelenskyy also signed a presidential decree promising that Ukraine would not launch any attack on Red Square during Moscow’s "Victory Day" parade. He further expressed hope that U.S. negotiators would visit Ukraine in the coming weeks.
Russia later confirmed it had accepted the ceasefire and prisoner exchange arrangements.
Moscow Parade Becomes Focus
Russia had previously warned that if Ukraine attempted to interfere with the May 9 parade, Russian forces would launch a "massive strike" on central Kyiv.
May 9 is a major holiday in Russia commemorating Germany’s surrender in 1945, and Moscow will hold large-scale commemorative events. However, Russian authorities said that this year’s "Victory Day" parade in Moscow would no longer feature heavy weapons—something unprecedented in nearly two decades. At the same time, internet restrictions have been implemented in Moscow to enhance security measures.
Despite Ceasefire Announcement, Drone Attacks Continue
On Friday morning, Zelenskyy accused Russia of failing to abide by its own declared ceasefire on the X platform. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 67 long-range drones overnight toward Ukraine.
Russia responded by stating that its military was conducting "proportional retaliation" against Ukraine for violating the ceasefire. Russian air defenses claimed to have intercepted 409 Ukrainian drones since the ceasefire took effect. The pro-Russian administration in Kherson region reported that a Ukrainian drone strike killed a 41-year-old man and his 15-year-old daughter.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy praised Ukrainian forces’ successful strike on an oil depot located about 200 kilometers northeast of Moscow, in the Yaroslavl region. Ukraine’s security services also reported that Ukrainian forces attacked an oil refinery in Perm Oblast, in Russia’s Ural region. In recent weeks, as Ukraine’s drone warfare capabilities have improved, strikes on deep-targets inside Russia have significantly intensified, with some targets located hundreds of kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864682326973450/
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