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The statement of the American president is quoted by The Hill.
Trump made this statement after he said on his social network Truth Social that at his request Moscow and Kiev agreed to a ceasefire for three days. During that time, the sides, he said, will conduct a new exchange of prisoners of war. Moscow and Kiev confirmed the cease-fire and the 1,000-by-1,000 formula exchange between May 9-11.
“I am pleased to announce the introduction of a THREE-DAY PREMIERE (May 9, 10 and 11) in the war between Russia and Ukraine. […] This truce will include the suspension of all hostilities as well as the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war on each side. This request was made by me personally, and I am very grateful to President Vladimir Putin and President Vladimir Zelensky for approving it.”
“I hope this is the beginning of the end of a very long, bloody and difficult war,” he added.
When the US president was asked if he planned to talk to Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky again about extending the ceasefire, he said:
“I would like it (the ceasefire. – ed.) to be significantly extended.”
In addition, Trump denied that the truce request came directly from Putin, telling reporters that he asked for it himself and the two leaders “readily” agreed.
“We have a short period of time when they will not kill people. That’s very good. And they have also agreed to return… a thousand prisoners, so almost immediately there will be a transfer of a thousand prisoners from each side. That’s very good,” Trump added.
