Russia and Ukraine Agree to Three-Day Ceasefire and Prisoner Exchange

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire from May 9 to 11, coinciding with Russia's Victory Day celebrations. The agreement includes a halt to hostilities and the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of freeing Ukrainian prisoners over symbolic gestures and issued a decree ensuring no Ukrainian strikes during the parade.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the decree.

Zelenskyy credited U.S. diplomacy for brokering the ceasefire and stressed that Ukraine expects the U.S. to ensure Russia meets its obligations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed cautious skepticism, citing stalled negotiations and limited progress despite continued U.S. mediation efforts.