President Donald Trump said Friday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a temporary three-day ceasefire, with the pause in fighting expected to begin Saturday.
In a message announcing the development, Trump said the agreement could be a step toward ending the war, calling it a possible beginning of the end of a long and deadly conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin were said to have confirmed the temporary truce.
The ceasefire comes as Moscow prepares for its May 9 Victory Day events, including the annual military parade in Red Square. Ukrainian officials have treated the timing with caution, saying Russia may be trying to secure the celebrations rather than move toward a broader peace deal.
The proposed agreement also includes a large prisoner exchange. Each side would release 1,000 prisoners of war, which would make it one of the biggest swaps since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Despite the announcement, fighting reportedly continued in several areas, underscoring how fragile the truce remains.