Zelensky "allowed" the parade in Moscow and confirmed a prisoner exchange and a three-day ceasefire

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on May 8 2026 announced that Ukraine had received Russia’s consent to a prisoner-of-war exchange in the format 1000 for 1000. He also said that a ceasefire on May 9, 10 and 11 should be established. The head of state reported this in an address following negotiations mediated by the American side.

Zelensky noted that in recent days there have been many appeals and signals regarding the situation in Moscow related to Ukrainian long-range sanctions. According to him, Ukraine’s principle of reciprocity is well known to the Russian side, but Kyiv’s key argument remains the return of Ukrainians from captivity.

“Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home,” – the President emphasized.

According to Zelensky, that is why, within the framework of negotiations involving the United States, Ukraine received the Russian side’s consent to a large exchange of prisoners of war. The President instructed the Ukrainian team to promptly prepare everything necessary for its implementation. He also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and his team for their diplomatic involvement and said that Ukraine expects the United States to ensure Russia complies with the agreements.

The published screenshot of Donald Trump’s post says that there will be a three-day truce – May 9, 10 and 11. The American president stated that it implies a complete ceasefire, the cessation of any hostilities, and an exchange of prisoners of 1,000 people from each side. International media also reported on Trump’s statement, including The Guardian and Al Jazeera.

In his post, Trump said this was his personal request and thanked Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky for agreeing. He expressed hope that this arrangement could mark the beginning of an end to a “very long, bloody and difficult war”.

The same day, the website of the President of Ukraine published Decree No. 374/2026 “On holding a parade in the city of Moscow”. The document states that, taking into account numerous requests and for the humanitarian purpose outlined in talks with the American side on May 8, 2026, Zelensky allowed a parade in Moscow on May 9, 2026.

The decree also states that for the duration of the parade – from 10 a.m. Kyiv time on May 9, 2026 – the territorial square of Red Square is excluded from the plan to employ Ukrainian weapons. The document comes into force on the day of signing.

Previously we wrote:

• Zelensky: Russia has already broken the ceasefire, committing 1820 violations as of the morning of May 6
• Russia uses ‘Victory Day’ to blackmail Ukraine with new strikes
• Trump doesn’t trust Putin: called for a real ceasefire
• ‘1000 on 1000’ and Kremlin ultimatums: what is known about the negotiations between Ukraine, the US, Turkey and Russia in Istanbul
• The third part of the large-scale ‘1000 on 1000’ exchange agreed in Turkey has been completed