Trump's hopes of Russia-Ukraine ceasefire extension unfounded: Putin's aide

Moscow [Russia], May 9 : Russian President Vladimir Putin's aide Yury Ushakov told reporters on Saturday that US President Donald Trump's hopes that the ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine would be prolonged are unfounded, as per the state news agency Tass.

"Yes, [Trump's hope for an extension of the ceasefire] is unfounded," the diplomat said. "But he hopes for it, why not? And he is working toward it," Tass reported, quoting Ushakov.

"But this (a prolonged ceasefire) depends not only on him, but also on the other two parties," Ushakov concluded.

Tass further reported that relevant agencies in Russia and Ukraine are working on lists of prisoners of war, and their exchange could begin once the sides reach an agreement, Ushakov told reporters.

"As far as I know, the relevant agencies are supposed to be actively working on the lists today, and if they reach an agreement through their channels, the exchange will begin," Tass quoted Ushakov as saying.

Ushakov added that the process could move fairly quickly.

"On our part, the preliminary work [on the prisoner exchange] was underway even before the announcement of this ceasefire. And we had already provided lists to the Ukrainian side. We received no response from them. But now, perhaps due to the pressure from [US President Donald Trump], as I mentioned earlier, they will hurry up with preparing the list," Ushakov said.

"First, we need to compile this list, identify the actual individuals, and then reach an agreement to begin the exchanges. It all takes time, but I think it can be done fairly quickly. That's what we agreed on, but we'll see how it turns out in practice," he added, as quoted by Tass.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, noting that the temporary truce coincides with Russia's Victory Day celebrations commemorating the then-Soviet Union's role in World War II.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the ceasefire would take place from May 9 to 11 and would include a suspension of "all kinetic activity" between the two countries.

"I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine. The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II," the post read.

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