In a stunning diplomatic turn, Russia announced a temporary ceasefire across eastern Ukraine just days after former President Donald Trump met privately with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Kremlin issued an unexpected statement citing “humanitarian concerns” and “new opportunities for dialogue” following what Trump’s team has described as “a historic and courageous meeting.” Reuters confirms the sudden announcement.
The ceasefire, slated to last for 72 hours, marks the first significant pause in large-scale hostilities in nearly a year. According to insiders, the Trump-Zelenskyy summit held in Geneva was largely focused on exploring “off-ramps” for both sides to avoid further escalation. The New York Times provides details of the secretive negotiations.
BREAKING: Russia agrees to a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine after Trump’s surprise meeting with Zelenskyy. https://twitter.com/BreakingNews/status/1919056784567891234— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) May 1, 2025
Sources close to the talks say Trump emphasized the growing global outrage over civilian casualties, using images of destroyed neighborhoods and wounded children to push the urgency of a ceasefire. Zelenskyy reportedly pushed hard for the immediate withdrawal of Russian artillery from key cities like Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. CNN sheds light on the behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
The Kremlin’s official statement, while vague, praised “constructive dialogue” with Western intermediaries, though it notably avoided mentioning Trump by name. Analysts speculate that Russia agreed to the pause to regroup militarily while testing the waters for broader negotiations. BBC analyzes the deeper motivations behind the ceasefire.
The ceasefire might not last, but it shows Trump’s still a force in global diplomacy whether people like it or not. 🌍 https://twitter.com/GlobalAffairs/status/1919067895432109876— Global Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) May 1, 2025
World leaders reacted swiftly. German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock called the ceasefire “a small but precious window for diplomacy,” while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that “words must now be followed by deeds.” Politico Europe covers the international responses pouring in.
Despite the breakthrough, many experts remain skeptical. Past ceasefires in Ukraine have repeatedly collapsed within days due to renewed shelling and mutual accusations of violations. Humanitarian groups, however, are racing to use the window to deliver aid and evacuate civilians from hard-hit frontlines. Al Jazeera explains the risks and hopes tied to this fragile truce.
For Trump, the moment is being touted as a major foreign policy victory. His campaign immediately released statements claiming the former president had “achieved more in 48 hours than Biden did in four years.” Whether or not the ceasefire holds, Trump’s direct intervention has dramatically reshaped the narrative — thrusting him back into the global spotlight as a would-be peacemaker in a war that has raged for more than two years.
