Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the achievement of important agreements regarding the celebration of the anniversary of Victory in World War II, which traditionally takes place on May 9 in Moscow. According to him, in recent days Kyiv has received numerous appeals regarding this event, considering the imposed long-range sanctions.
This is reported by Finway
Prisoner exchange and ceasefire announced
Zelensky emphasized that for Ukraine, the issue of returning its prisoners of war is a priority. He stated that an agreement has been reached with the Russian Federation regarding the exchange of prisoners in a “1000 for 1000” format, thanks to the mediation of the United States. The Ukrainian team has already been instructed to prepare all necessary procedures for the swift implementation of the exchange.
“Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war who can be brought home. That is why today, within the framework of the negotiation process mediated by the American side, we received Russia’s consent to conduct a prisoner exchange in the format of 1000 for 1000.”
In this regard, a ceasefire is announced from May 9 to 11, during which hostilities must be halted. Zelensky thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and his team for their active diplomatic involvement and expressed hope that the United States would monitor the implementation of the agreements by the Russian Federation.
Parade in Moscow and confirmation of U.S. agreements
The President’s Office published a decree allowing the holding of a parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 2026. During this event, this location will be excluded from the plan for the use of Ukrainian weaponry, as reflected in the official document.
U.S. President Donald Trump also confirmed the achievement of an agreement for a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia from May 9 to 11. Trump noted that this is his personal initiative and expressed gratitude to Zelensky for supporting such steps. According to the U.S. president, the ceasefire is expected to entail a complete cessation of hostilities and a large-scale prisoner exchange under the formula of “1000 for 1000.” He expressed hope that this would mark the beginning of the end of a protracted and destructive war and that negotiations for a final peace are ongoing and gradually approaching a logical conclusion.
Russia’s consent to the exchange and ceasefire was also confirmed by Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov.
It should be noted that on May 7, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced a unilateral ceasefire from May 8 to 10 in honor of Victory Day and called on Ukraine to join. In response, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine would respond in kind to Russian shelling, and any provocations would not go unanswered. He also stressed that despite Moscow’s statements, hostilities on the front have not ceased, and the ceasefires announced by Russia have not been observed.
Previously, Zelensky has repeatedly stated that he considers a ceasefire possible only with genuine intentions from Russia, not for the sake of holding parades. Despite Kyiv announcing a ceasefire from May 6, the Russian Federation did not respond and violated the ceasefire from the very beginning of its implementation.