"President Donald Trump said Friday that the leaders of Russia and Ukraine have agreed to his request for a three-day ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners, adding that such a halt to hostilities could be the "beginning of the end" of the long war between them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Yuri Ushakov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign affairs adviser, both confirmed the agreement. "I asked and, President Putin agreed. President Zelenskyy agreed -- both readily," Trump said as he departed the White House to attend a dinner at his Virginia golf club."
""I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine," Trump wrote. "The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II." The Republican president said the ceasefire includes a suspension of all kinetic activity and the exchange of 1,000 prisoners by each country."
"Saturday is Victory Day in Russia, a holiday that commemorates the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Trump earlier Friday had announced on social media that the ceasefire would run Saturday through Monday. Russia had announced a ceasefire for Friday and Saturday, but it quickly unraveled, with both sides blaming the other for the continued fighting, just as they had when Ukraine's own unilateral ceasefire had swiftly collapsed earlier in the week."
"Trump said he made his request for the ceasefire "directly" to the two presidents. "Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War," he said. Trump added that talks continue over ending the war that began in February 2022 "and we are getting closer and closer every day.""
A three-day ceasefire was agreed between Russia and Ukraine, running from May 9 through May 11. The agreement includes a suspension of all kinetic activity and an exchange of 1,000 prisoners by each country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Yuri Ushakov, a foreign affairs adviser to Vladimir Putin, confirmed the arrangement. The ceasefire is intended to pause hostilities for a limited period, with the expectation that it could lead to further progress toward ending the war that began in February 2022. Trump said he requested the ceasefire directly to both presidents and described it as a potential start of the end of the conflict.
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