Trump-Brokered Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Strained by Ongoing Fighting
Russia and Ukraine have each blamed the other for attacks over the weekend that strained a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which could imperil a fresh push for a long-term peace deal to finally end the war that started four years ago.
The brief three-day ceasefire, which President Donald Trump announced Friday, was viewed by some as the launching point for a broader deal, which Trump has pursued throughout his second term. He initially said he would end the conflict within the first 24 hours of returning to office last January but ultimately admitted the issue was more difficult than he had anticipated.
What to Know
On Friday, Trump announced the temporary ceasefire on Truth Social, noting it was enacted for Victory Day celebrations in Russia. The annual holiday commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War World II-an event Russian President Vladimir Putin has frequently used in recent years to position his forces as the moral heirs to the Red Army.
“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,” Trump wrote in his post. “This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country.”
He continued: “This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky. Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day.”
However, Reuters reported on Sunday three people were killed in Russian drone strikes near the frontline, and more than 200 battlefield clashes had broken out since early on Saturday, citing Ukrainian officials.
Ukraine has not explicitly accused Russia of violating the ceasefire, but Moscow claimed Kyiv fired dozens of drones over the past day, and that Russian force “responded in kind.”
The fragile truce follows a recent meeting in Miami between U.S. representatives and Ukraine’s top negotiator, Rustem Umerov, as all sides search for a path forward following months of stalled negotiations. Umerov was tasked with securing the prisoner swap, which was ultimately executed alongside the ceasefire.
What Happens Next
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, are expected to visit Moscow “soon enough” to commence fresh talks, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Sunday, according to news agency Interfax.
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This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 2:23 PM.