Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Begins, Lasting Peace Remains Distant
A three-day U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect Friday. Putin suggested the war may be ending, but the Kremlin says a comprehensive peace deal is still "a very long way off."
May 9th 2026 · World
MOSCOW, May 9 - Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a U.S.-brokered three-day ceasefire that began Friday and will run through May 11, with President Donald Trump expressing hope it could be extended. The Kremlin acknowledged that Washington is eager to reach a peace deal to end the conflict, but emphasized that negotiating a comprehensive settlement remains "a very long way off" due to the complexity of the issues involved. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated Saturday that he believes the Ukraine conflict may be approaching its end. During remarks following the annual Victory Day parade, Putin thanked the United States for facilitating negotiations between Russia and Ukraine but emphasized that the matter "only concerns Russia and Ukraine." Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who met with Putin on Saturday, reportedly indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be willing to attend a personal meeting. Putin responded that such a meeting could occur in a third country, but only once a lasting peace agreement has been reached. Russian forces have been fighting in Ukraine for more than four years, longer than the Soviet Union's participation in World War Two. Trump has repeatedly characterized the conflict as a "stupid" and "crazy" war causing vast casualties on both sides, but has yet to achieve a durable peace settlement despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.