On May 8, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire from May 9 to May 11, coinciding with Russia's Victory Day. The ceasefire will involve a suspension of hostilities and a prisoner exchange of 1,000 individuals from each side. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the agreement, highlighting that the return of prisoners of war is a central demand for Ukraine. Trump expressed hope that this ceasefire could signify the 'beginning of the end' of the prolonged conflict that began in February 2022. However, previous ceasefires have quickly collapsed, raising questions about the sustainability of this agreement. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed Russia's acceptance of Trump's initiative, while Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. for its diplomatic efforts and stated that Ukraine expects the U.S. to ensure Russia adheres to the terms. Despite this progress, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that mediation efforts have not yet led to fruitful outcomes, indicating ongoing challenges in achieving a lasting resolution.