Trump Announces Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap of 1,000 and Three-Day Ceasefire

WASHINGTON — President Trump announced Friday that Russia and Ukraine will swap 1,000 prisoners as part of a three-day ceasefire for Russia's Victory Day observance this weekend.

Russia and Ukraine had announced separate ceasefires on different days, leaving the timeline unclear. Trump said the temporary ceasefire will halt all kinetic activity from Saturday through Monday, though Russia and Ukraine have not confirmed it.

Posting on Truth Social, the U.S. president said he requested the ceasefire and thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for agreeing.

"Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War," he said of the conflict now over four years old. "Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day."

Earlier this week, Zelenskyy announced a ceasefire for May 5-6. Russia last week proposed one for May 8-9.

Trump's announcement follows meetings this week between top U.S. officials and Ukrainian representatives in Miami, and a call last week between Trump and Putin.