Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that he believes the war in Ukraine may be approaching its conclusion, as a U.S.-brokered temporary ceasefire and large-scale prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kyiv began.
“I think that the matter is coming to an end,” Putin told reporters, according to Reuters.
The three-day ceasefire, running from Saturday through Monday, was announced by President Donald Trump to coincide with Victory Day commemorations tied to World War II. The agreement suspends all kinetic activity and includes the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each country.
“This ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prisoner swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country,” Trump said. “This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.”
Trump said the observance carries historical significance for both Russia and Ukraine because of their roles in defeating Nazi Germany.
“The celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II.”
Russia marked Victory Day in Moscow on Saturday with one of its smallest military parades in recent years. Putin also took part in commemorative ceremonies, including the laying of flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The war began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has now stretched into its fifth year. Moscow’s initial expectations of a rapid victory have long since collapsed, with Russian forces still unable to secure full control of the Donbass region.
Putin told reporters he would prefer talks with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder over other European leaders. He also said he would consider direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy only after a permanent peace agreement is in place.
Zelenskyy confirmed the prisoner exchange on Twitter, describing it as part of negotiations mediated by the United States.
In recent days, there have been many appeals and signals regarding the setup for tomorrow in Moscow in connection with our Ukrainian long-range sanctions. The principle of symmetry in our actions is well known and has been clearly communicated to the Russian side. An additional…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 8, 2026
“Within the framework of the negotiating process mediated by the American side, we received Russia’s agreement to conduct a prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000,” Zelenskyy wrote. “A ceasefire regime must also be established on May 9, 10, and 11. Ukraine is consistently working to bring its people home from Russian captivity. I have instructed our team to promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange.”
Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his role in the negotiations and said Ukraine hopes the United States will help ensure Russia complies with the ceasefire terms.
