US President Donald Trump said he hopes the Russia-Ukraine war will become the “10th war” he has helped end, as he announced a temporary three-day ceasefire between the two countries.
Washington DC: Donald Trump on Friday said he hopes the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine could become the “10th war” he has helped settle since returning to the White House.
Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Virginia, Trump said he wanted the conflict to end as quickly as possible.
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“I would love to see that war end,” Trump said, adding that he had already “settled eight wars and actually nine”. He further stated, “It would be nice. I would like to see it stop.”
Three-day ceasefire announced from May 9 to 11
Trump earlier announced a temporary three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine from May 9 to May 11. The truce coincides with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations marking the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that the ceasefire would include a “suspension of all kinetic activity” between the two countries. He also announced a large prisoner exchange involving 1,000 prisoners from each side.
Trump said the ceasefire request was made directly by him and thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for agreeing to the arrangement.
“I asked President Putin and President Zelenskyy, and both readily agreed,” Trump told reporters.
Putin and Zelenskyy confirm ceasefire agreement
Reports said Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and senior Russian officials separately confirmed the temporary truce following diplomatic contacts with the United States administration.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov reportedly said the agreement was reached during recent telephone discussions between Moscow and Washington. The Kremlin also linked the ceasefire timing to Victory Day events in Russia.
Ukraine meanwhile described the ceasefire and prisoner exchange as an important humanitarian development, especially for returning prisoners of war captured during the conflict.
While addressing reporters, Trump indicated that he wanted the temporary ceasefire period to be extended further if negotiations progressed positively.
“Yes, I would like to see a big extension,” he said when asked whether the truce should continue beyond three days.
Trump also described the Russia-Ukraine war as the deadliest major conflict since World War II and claimed that thousands of young soldiers were dying every month, though he did not provide evidence for the casualty figures he mentioned.
War enters fifth year amid stalled peace efforts
The Russia-Ukraine war entered its fifth year in February 2026 after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Since then, repeated attempts at ceasefires and peace negotiations have largely failed due to disagreements over territory, military operations and security guarantees.
Temporary pauses in fighting linked to religious holidays and humanitarian exchanges have taken place before, but both sides have frequently accused each other of violating ceasefire agreements.
In his Truth Social statement, Trump described the ceasefire as a possible turning point in the long-running conflict.
“Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end,” he wrote while confirming that diplomatic talks aimed at permanently ending the war are continuing.
He also said negotiations are “getting closer and closer every day” as international pressure continues to grow for a broader peace settlement between Moscow and Kyiv.
(With ANI inputs)
Published: 09 May 2026, 08:05 am IST
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