Short Truce Between Russia, Ukraine Ends Amid Diplomatic Efforts

(MENAFN) A brief three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which had been proposed by US President Donald Trump, ended at 2100 GMT on Monday, according to reports.

The truce, covering May 9–11, had also included plans for a large-scale prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals from each side. Trump described the initiative as a potential opening toward ending the prolonged conflict and suggested that negotiations were gradually moving closer to progress.

The ceasefire proposal followed meetings between US envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump adviser Jared Kushner, and Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov in Miami, where discussions reportedly focused on expanding diplomatic efforts and exploring possible pathways toward peace talks.

During the period, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated readiness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a neutral country, with the aim of negotiating a possible peace agreement. Zelenskyy later confirmed that discussions with US representatives had explored formats for potential leader-level negotiations intended to bring an end to the war.

Prior to the US-backed initiative, Russia had announced its own unilateral ceasefire to coincide with World War II Victory Day commemorations, while warning of a strong military response if celebrations were disrupted. Ukraine subsequently stated it would observe a ceasefire beginning earlier in the week, though both sides later accused each other of violations.

Despite the expiration of the short truce, diplomatic activity involving multiple parties continues, with discussions still centered on potential frameworks for ending the ongoing war.

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