Putin Aide’s Comment: Russia Agrees to Ceasefire and Prisoner of War Exchange

Moscow. Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov has confirmed that the Russian side finds acceptable the initiative proposed by US President Donald Trump concerning a ceasefire for the exchange of prisoners of war with Ukraine.

Speaking on behalf of President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Ushakov stated, “On behalf of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, I confirm that the Russian side finds acceptable the initiative just proposed by US President Donald Trump concerning a ceasefire to perform an exchange of POWs between Russia and Ukraine.”

According to him, the relevant agreement was reached during telephone contacts with the US Presidential Administration, while US representatives maintained contact with Kiev. The main arrangement for the ceasefire period — from May 9 through the end of May 11 — is to exchange prisoners of war, 1,000 people from each side.

Ushakov noted, “This initiative builds on the recent telephone conversation between the Presidents of Russia and the US, during which the leaders placed special emphasis on the fact that our countries were allies during World War II, and also discussed the possibility of a ceasefire for the Victory Day celebrations. It is important that President Trump’s initiative is timed precisely to coincide with the 81st anniversary of Victory over Nazism — our sacred holiday.”