Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Victory Day, May 9, 2026, that the war in Ukraine 'is coming to an end.' The statement, made in Moscow, signals the Kremlin's strongest indication yet that a negotiated settlement may be within reach.
A US-brokered three-day ceasefire took effect simultaneously, halting kinetic activity across the front lines through May 11. President Donald Trump announced the pause via Truth Social, paired with a planned 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. Minor violations have been reported, but no major strikes have occurred.
Putin said he is open to meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly, but only in a third country and only after a draft peace treaty is finalized. He blamed NATO countries for prolonging the conflict by supplying weapons, training, and intelligence.
Zelenskyy confirmed the ceasefire, thanked Trump for mediating, and instructed his team to execute the prisoner exchange promptly. He expressed hope the US would ensure Russian compliance through the ceasefire window.
The conflict has caused over 500,000 military casualties and displaced more than 10 million people since Russia's full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. The prisoner exchange deadline of May 11 serves as the first real test of whether the ceasefire can hold and build a foundation for subsequent talks.