"This proposal came directly from me. I deeply appreciate the agreement from President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky," US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on 8/5, announcing a ceasefire effective 9-11/5 between Russia and Ukraine.

President Trump stated that Moskva and Kiev also agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners. "Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of the long, bloody, and brutal war," he wrote.

Russian servicemen firing a grenade launcher at Ukrainian positions in a photo posted on 31/3. *Photo: AP*

President Zelensky later said the ceasefire "must be established," and ordered Ukrainian troops not to target Red Square in Moskva on 9/5.

The Kremlin also welcomed Trump's proposal, stating it was significant as it coincided with Russia's "sacred holiday" commemorating victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

A senior source at the Office of the President of Ukraine told AFP that the country used the condition "not to launch drones towards Moskva on 9/5 in exchange for 1,000 prisoners." The source added that Ukraine would act reciprocally with Russia throughout the ceasefire.

Before Trump announced the ceasefire, Russia and Ukraine had engaged in retaliatory attacks. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the enemy launched 67 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overnight, while Russia announced it had shot down over 400 UAVs in its airspace.

The Ministry of Transport of Russia stated that approximately 13 airports in the southern part of the country were closed on 8/5 after a Ukrainian UAV struck an air traffic control center in the city of Rostov-on-Don. The agency later announced that flights had been partially restored.

Putin convened a security council meeting regarding the attack, calling it a "terrorist act" that could endanger civil aviation.

By Thanh Tam (According to AFP)