Headline Roundup • May 9th, 2026
Russia and Ukraine Agree to Three-Day Ceasefire and Prisoner Swap
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Russia and Ukraine confirmed a temporary US-facilitated ceasefire and a large prisoner exchange as fighting continues between the two countries.
The Details: President Donald Trump announced Friday that the two countries agreed to a three-day ceasefire running from May 9 through May 11, which also includes a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 prisoners from each side. Trump added that the ceasefire request was made directly by the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kremlin officials later confirmed the arrangement. Despite the agreement, both Russia and Ukraine earlier accused each other of launching fresh attacks and violating separate ceasefires announced this week.
For Context: The ceasefire coincides with Russia's Victory Day holiday, which marks the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Ukraine used to celebrate Victory Day on May 9, but moved its World War II remembrance to May 8 in 2023 to align with most of Europe, and redesignated May 9 as Europe Day.
The ceasefire comes as the United States continues broader diplomatic efforts to reduce fighting and revive negotiations, though Washington has not been directly linked to this specific pause in hostilities. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and the war has continued for more than four years. Peace talks have largely stalled, with Ukraine rejecting Russian demands involving territory under its control.
How the Media Covered It: Media coverage of the announcement was largely consistent across the political spectrum, though the emphasis differed slightly. Fox News (Right bias) focused more on Trump's role in securing the ceasefire and prisoner exchange, appearing to frame the agreement as a diplomatic breakthrough. Reuters (Center) highlighted statements from both Russia and Ukraine while noting past ceasefire violations. Al Jazeera (Lean left) provided more historical and geopolitical context, emphasizing ongoing disagreements over territory and skepticism about a lasting peace deal.
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Featured Coverage of this Story
President Donald Trump on Friday announced a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia to celebrate the Soviet Union's victory in World War II, as well as a massive prisoner exchange between both nations.
The ceasefire will begin on Saturday and run through Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social. "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."
Russia and Ukraine confirmed on Friday that they had agreed to a U.S.-brokered three-day ceasefire that will run from May 9 to May 11, and U.S. President Donald Trump said he hoped it would be extended.
Trump's announcement of the temporary ceasefire on Truth Social earlier in the day also said each country, locked in more than four years of conflict, would exchange 1,000 prisoners of war.
Credit: AP photo via Al Jazeera
United States President Donald Trump says there will be a three-day ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Posting on Truth Social on Friday, the US leader said the truce would last from Saturday to Monday.
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