On Saturday, May 10, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to an immediate ceasefire, bringing a sudden halt to several days of escalating violence, especially in the tense Kashmir region. The ceasefire comes after a series of missile strikes and retaliatory attacks that left more than 60 people dead and military installations damaged on both sides. Trump made the announcement via Truth Social, praising both nations for showing what he called “Common Sense and Great Intelligence” in stepping back from the brink.

The agreement, which took effect at 5 p.m. Indian time, was confirmed by top officials from both countries—Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar—through social media posts. According to statements from both sides, the deal includes a full stop to hostilities across land, air, and sea, and a reactivation of military hotlines to avoid further misunderstandings.

The United States played a key role in brokering the truce, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the American effort, joined by officials from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Pakistani officials and Trump credited U.S. mediation for the breakthrough, though Indian sources were quick to claim the deal was a direct bilateral arrangement, downplaying Washington’s involvement.

Tensions flared last month after a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir on April 22, which New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. India responded with a series of air and missile strikes under what it called “Operation Sindoor,” triggering immediate retaliation from Pakistan. The exchange brought the two nuclear-armed neighbors dangerously close to open war—something the ceasefire now appears to have temporarily averted.

While there’s talk of possible broader negotiations to follow, India’s government has denied committing to any talks beyond the ceasefire itself. Given the long history of failed truces and deep-rooted suspicion between the two nations, whether this ceasefire holds is anyone’s guess. For now, the guns are silent—but as always in South Asia, peace comes with an asterisk.

Putin Shows Defiance as Ceasefire Talks Continue

While the West pushes hard for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is making it clear he has no intention of playing along—at least not on anyone else’s terms. On May 9, as calls for peace grew louder from Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe, Putin presided over Russia’s annual Victory Day parade in Moscow. The event was a celebration of past military triumphs as well as a carefully staged show of strength. Flanked by Chinese President Xi Jinping and other allies, Putin used the occasion to draw a straight line from World War II to today’s war in Ukraine, casting Russia as a nation once again standing alone against foreign aggression.

Even as ceasefire negotiations continue, Russian forces are still pressing forward on the battlefield, particularly in Ukraine’s Sumy region. These continued attacks fly in the face of any real commitment to peace and suggest that Moscow sees the ceasefire talks more as a propaganda tool than a path forward. Adding to the confusion, the Kremlin announced a three-day “Victory Day ceasefire” without coordinating with Ukraine. When Kyiv didn’t officially join in, Russia was quick to accuse Ukraine of spoiling the deal—a classic blame-shifting tactic that makes Russia look like the reasonable party while continuing business as usual on the front lines.