Source: Fortune
Summary
President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, effective from May 9th to 11th, which includes a suspension of all kinetic activity and the exchange of 1,000 prisoners by each country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed the agreement. Trump said he made the request directly to the two presidents and hopes it is the “beginning of the end” of the war. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the announcement and reiterated calls for an unconditional and lasting ceasefire.
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The numbers tell one story.
Trump’s announcement comes after a series of failed ceasefires and negotiations. The agreement includes a prisoner exchange, a key demand for Ukraine. Zelenskyy thanked Trump and the American team for their diplomatic efforts. The ceasefire coincides with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an unconditional and lasting ceasefire. Trump’s optimism is a signal.
The beginning of the end sounds like a familiar phase.
Author: Evan Null
