Putin Declares Temporary Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary "Easter truce" in Ukraine's three-year conflict, effective from 6 p.m. on Saturday to midnight on Sunday. The ceasefire was declared "on humanitarian grounds," with Putin stating that he ordered Russian troops to stop fighting, hoping Ukraine would follow suit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the move as "Putin's next attempt to play with people's lives," citing ongoing Russian drone strikes. The announcement came after the US Secretary of State expressed frustration with the stalled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, saying the Trump administration was ready to "move on" if progress wasn't made soon. The ceasefire followed a significant prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United Arab Emirates, in which 246 Russian service members and 277 Ukrainian "warriors" were exchanged. Fighting occurred just before the ceasefire, with Russia claiming to have taken control of a Ukrainian foothold in the Kursk region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine starting on Saturday, citing humanitarian reasons, with the ceasefire set to last from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday to midnight after Easter Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by saying Ukraine will reciprocate a full and unconditional ceasefire, but expressed skepticism, suggesting 30 hours is not enough to demonstrate genuine intentions. The announcement came as Russia and Ukraine conducted their largest prisoner exchange since the war began, with 246 Russian service members and 277 Ukrainian "warriors" returning home. Ukraine's foreign minister questioned the sincerity of Putin's statement, referencing a previous U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire that Russia rejected.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a brief ceasefire in the war with Ukraine for the Easter holiday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a brief Easter ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, but Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of continuing to fight, saying that Russian assault operations and artillery fire persisted in some areas. The truce was set to last from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday to midnight on Monday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for the truce to be extended to 30 days, saying that 30 hours was not enough to build confidence, and that it seemed like a publicity stunt. Ukrainian officials reported continued Russian drone attacks and shelling in various regions, including Kherson, where a high-rise building caught fire after being struck by drones.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's sudden announcement of an Easter ceasefire in the Ukraine war is likely a strategic move to appease US demands for a sign of Moscow's willingness to stop fighting, rather than a genuine attempt at peace. The unilateral declaration is impractical and may cause logistical nightmares for Ukraine's forces, who would need days to prepare for a cessation of hostilities. Ukrainian officials reported continued Russian strikes in frontline areas as of Saturday evening, and the move is seen as an attempt to shift blame onto Kyiv for not wanting to stop the war. A genuine truce requires negotiation and preparation, and Putin's announcement is likely to be used to support his false narrative that Ukraine is not willing to end the conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, citing humanitarian reasons, which will last from Saturday at 6 p.m. Moscow time to midnight on Easter Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the move as "another attempt by Putin to play with human lives," pointing out that air raid alerts were still spreading across Ukraine. Putin's announcement came as Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces had pushed Ukrainian troops from one of their last remaining footholds in Russia's Kursk region.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is a complex and ongoing issue with deep historical roots, and is viewed by a U.S. official as a shift in the "world order." Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have been engaged in a prolonged conflict, with various attempts at a ceasefire. The U.S., led by President Trump, has been involved in diplomatic efforts to broker peace, including talks with Putin and Zelenskyy. Ukraine is producing 2 million drones a year to aid in the conflict, and the war has caused significant darkness and power cuts across the country. Diplomatic efforts continue, with the U.S. and Russia holding talks in Saudi Arabia on a Black Sea ceasefire and considering a 30-day armistice. Zelenskyy has urged the U.S. to impose "maximum" sanctions on Russia if it refuses a ceasefire, and the conflict remains a pressing global issue.

Vladimir Putin announced an "Easter truce" in the Ukraine war, set to last from 6 p.m. on Saturday to 12 a.m. on Monday, claiming Russia would halt "all military operations" during that time. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was skeptical, stating that air raid alerts were still sounding across Ukraine as Russia continued to launch strikes just before the truce was to begin. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Moscow's Chief of the General Staff ordered a pause in combat operations, but Kyiv has not confirmed whether it will observe the truce. Critics, including the Atlantic Council's Alex Plitsas, doubted the ceasefire's effectiveness, citing Putin's unilateral announcement and lack of coordination with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire in the Ukraine war over Easter, effective from 6pm Moscow time on Saturday to midnight on Easter Sunday, citing "humanitarian considerations". Putin instructed Russian troops to stop military actions during this period but remain ready to respond to any violations or provocations. The Russian Defence Ministry has instructed its commanders to adhere to the ceasefire, provided it is "mutually respected" by Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, ordering his forces to halt hostilities on Saturday until Sunday, citing "humanitarian considerations". However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian air defence units were repelling a Russian drone attack on Saturday, suggesting Moscow's true intentions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed wariness after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, saying his country would reciprocate if Moscow's forces genuinely observed the truce; the proposed ceasefire is set to last from Saturday to after Easter Sunday, but details on monitoring and scope are unclear.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a ceasefire in Ukraine until midnight on Sunday in honor of Easter, but warned that Russia will respond to any Ukrainian attacks during the truce. Putin expects Ukraine to reciprocate and said their response will indicate their commitment to a peaceful resolution. Ukrainian President Zelensky appears to have rejected the proposal.