On the 8th, U.S. President Trump posted on social media stating that Russia and Ukraine will begin a three-day ceasefire from the 9th and will exchange 1,000 prisoners of war with each other.
He said that the ceasefire request was made directly by him and received agreement from Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky, aiming to celebrate Victory Day of World War II. This ceasefire will include the suspension of all military activities and a prisoner exchange, with each side exchanging 1,000 prisoners.
He stated that negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict are still ongoing and are drawing ever closer to reaching that goal.
On April 29th, Trump said that he spoke with Putin on the phone that day, had a long conversation, and suggested a short-term ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
On the evening of the 8th, Putin held a meeting of the permanent members of the Russian Federation Security Council via video link, stating that during his call with Trump, they together reviewed the history of the Soviet Union and the United States fighting Nazis side by side and jointly achieving victory.
On the 4th, the Russian side announced that, to commemorate Victory Day of the Great Patriotic War on May 9th, a ceasefire would be implemented from the 8th to the 9th, hoping Ukraine would follow suit. Zelensky subsequently announced a unilateral ceasefire from Ukraine starting at midnight on the 6th, but did not mention the duration. On the 7th, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Russian side would implement a ceasefire in the special military operation area against Ukraine from midnight on the 8th until before the 10th. However, in recent days, both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating the ceasefire arrangements and launching attacks.