[54031] Three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia brokered by the US

A limited-time ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine

Starting May 9, a ceasefire regime between Ukraine and Russia came into effect, scheduled to last for three days, until May 11. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the agreement was reached through US mediation and includes a prisoner exchange deal in a 1000-for-1000 format. US President Donald Trump, who took an active part in the initiative, noted that both sides agreed to a "voluntary" truce and raised the possibility of extending this regime beyond the scheduled date.

Despite reports of the ceasefire, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army reports continued fighting and intensive use of force by Russian troops, with dozens of attack attempts in various sectors of the front, including the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. The Telegram channel "Голос Майора" documented several strikes on civilians and infrastructure during the days of the truce, claiming that Russia is not truly committed to peace.

At the same time, the Kremlin is sending mixed messages. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, clarified that as of now, there are no discussions regarding an extension of the ceasefire beyond May 11. Conversely, Putin's aide, Yury Ushakov, used the platform to criticize American involvement and demand that Trump "impose discipline" on the Ukrainian side, claiming that the process toward a full peace agreement is long and complex.

While various Ukrainian media outlets emphasize the humanitarian importance of returning prisoners, critical figures warn that Russia is using the truce to carry out rotations and reinforce its forces. Analysts and commentators on Telegram described the move as "political speculation" intended to allow Russia to hold the Victory Day parade in Moscow without an immediate threat, while sacrificing Ukrainian strategic objectives.