Full Breakdown
Trump-Putin Call Revives May 9 Ukraine Ceasefire Proposal; Zelenskyy Seeks Details
5/2/2026, 4:31:53 AM
Ceasefire Talk Between Trump and Putin Revives May 9 Proposal
On 29 April 2026, President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin held a 90-minute call and discussed a short-term ceasefire in Ukraine timed to Russia’s Victory Day on 9 May, the holiday marking the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany. The proposal follows earlier pauses, such as a three-day Easter truce in 2025 that collapsed amid accusations of violations. This year’s Victory-Day parade will be scaled back, with no heavy armor.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump said he had suggested a brief cease-fire and believed Putin might act on it. Ushakov said Putin was ready to declare a cease-fire for Victory Day and that Trump believed a deal to end the war was close. Zelenskyy said Kyiv would clarify whether the proposal covered only a few hours of security for a Moscow parade or a broader pause, and called for a long-term cease-fire that provides reliable and guaranteed security. Peskov noted that no concrete decision had been made.
On-the-Ground Situation
Russian drone strikes overnight killed one civilian in Dnipro and injured five; attacks in Odesa wounded 20 civilians and damaged residential buildings, a hotel and a kindergarten. Ukrainian forces hit a refinery in Russia’s Perm region and sparked a fire at the Tuapse oil refinery. Sea-drone strikes in the Kerch Strait damaged the Russian patrol boats Sobol and Grachonok.
Criticism & Opposition
Ukrainian analysts warned short-term pauses can let Russian forces regroup, and Zelenskyy’s office stressed the need for “reliable and guaranteed security.” Observers noted Trump’s conflation of Ukraine and Iran, with social-media calling the remarks a “mix-up” that could damage credibility.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on who first raised the cease-fire idea: Trump’s remarks frame it as his suggestion, while Kremlin officials present it as Putin’s proposal. The duration remains vague; some reports cite “a few hours,” others describe an unspecified “temporary” pause. No official timetable has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I suggested a little bit of a ceasefire, and I think he might do that,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “We have instructed our representatives to contact the United States president's team and clarify the details of the Russian proposal for a short-term ceasefire,” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
- “For now, no concrete decision has been made,” — Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson
- “He told me he’d like to be involved with the enrichment if he can help us get it. I said, ‘I’d much rather have you be involved with ending the war with Ukraine,’” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
What’s Next
The Kremlin signaled a possible Victory-Day announcement, while Kyiv plans diplomatic outreach to the United States for clarification. Ongoing combat continues on both sides, and any cease-fire would require rapid coordination among the United Nations, NATO and regional actors.
