“Victory for Humanity”: Russia and Ukraine Agree to 3-Day Truce and Massive Prisoner Swap After Trump Talks.

In an unexpected breakthrough, Russia and Ukraine both confirmed Friday that they’ve agreed to a three-day cease-fire and a simultaneous prisoner exchange — each side handing over 1,000 captured soldiers. The deal came together after separate phone calls between U.S. President Donald Trump and the two countries’ leaders.

Trump broke the news on Truth Social, announcing the pause in fighting from Saturday through Monday. “Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, hard-fought war,” he wrote, adding that talks to end Europe’s largest conflict since World War II are “getting closer and closer every day.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the agreement on X, saying he’s ordered his team to “promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange.” He also revealed a key motivation: Russia’s upcoming Victory Day celebrations on May 9. “Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home,” Zelensky said.

On the Russian side, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Vladimir Putin found the deal acceptable and “welcomes” it. According to Ushakov, Trump reminded Putin during their call that Russia and the U.S. were allies in World War II — using Victory Day as a symbolic starting point for the truce.

The cease-fire, which covers “all kinetic activity,” was personally requested by Trump, who said he’s grateful both leaders agreed. Zelensky added that the humanitarian push to bring prisoners home was a major factor in Ukraine’s decision to negotiate the pause.

As the world watches, three days of silence along the front lines could mark a small but powerful crack in four years of grinding war.