Russia's Putin declares humanitarian Easter truce in Ukraine
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Putin asserted that Russian soldiers must be prepared to counter any potential ceasefire violations or provocations from Ukraine.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Russian Chief of General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on Saturday (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin proclaimed an Easter ceasefire on Saturday, beginning at 6:00 pm Moscow time and lasting until midnight Sunday into Monday.
In a meeting with the Russian military's Chief of General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, Putin said, "Guided by humanitarian considerations, today from 6:00 p.m. to 00:00 from Sunday to Monday, the Russian side declares an Easter truce. I order that all military actions be stopped for this period."
He asserted that Russian soldiers must be prepared to counter any potential ceasefire violations or provocations from Ukraine.
Russia expects the Ukrainian side to follow its lead and cease hostilities for the length of the Easter truce, the Russian president underlined.
Zelensky agrees to truce, accuses Russia of manipulation
Zelensky responded to the truce posting on X that "If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly -- mirroring Russia's actions," Zelensky said Saturday in a post on X.
The Ukrainian president also proposed "extending it beyond the Easter day of April 20," while accusing Russia of having broken its promise, citing assault operations on several frontlines. Russian artillery fire has not subsided," he explained.
Ukraine issued air-raid warnings across several eastern regions due to a ballistic missile threat, prompting President Zelensky to condemn Moscow's actions as manipulative and vowing that Ukrainian forces would respond to any Russian strike accordingly.
"Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow," Zelensky said.
"We know all too well how Moscow manipulates, and we are prepared for anything. Ukraine's Defense Forces will act rationally -- responding in kind. Every Russian strike will be met with an appropriate response," he claimed.
Russian military says troops will observe ceasefire if Kiev mutually observes it
For its part, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the truce announced by Putin will be observed by the Russian soldiers if the Ukrainian side mutually observes it.
"The ceasefire regime is imposed for humanitarian purposes and is to be observed by the Joint Group of Forces (Troops) on the condition of mutual compliance with it by the Kiev regime," the ministry said in a statement.
Gerasimov instructed the commanders of Russian groups of forces in the zone of the special military operation to cease combat operations from 18:00 Moscow time (15:00 GMT) Saturday until 21 April 2025 (21:00 GMT on Sunday), the ministry confirmed.
Easter truce serves a test of Ukraine’s sincerity in seeking peace: Putin
Putin expressed that Russia’s decision to declare an Easter truce would serve as a test of Ukraine’s sincerity in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
"Our decision on the Easter truce will show how sincere the readiness of the Kiev regime is, its desire and ability to comply with agreements, to participate in the process of peace negotiations aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis," he noted.
Putin also divulged that Russian forces are making consistent gains along the front line, noting, "The Russian army steadily moves forward step by step."
He also instructed Gerasimov to report separately when Russian territory in the Kursk and Belgorod regions has been fully cleared of Ukrainian forces.
Gerasimov reported that efforts to fully secure the Kursk Region are still ongoing, detailing, "The work on complete liberation of the territories of forests, these areas and [the settlement of] Gornal is still in process."
Putin says Kiev violated moratorium on energy strikes more than 100 times
During the same discussion, Putin accused Kiev of repeatedly breaching a key agreement against energy infrastructure over 100 times.
Russia's military has reported significant battlefield advances and major Ukrainian losses across several regions, including taking over key areas in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). The announcement comes as the deadline for the temporary halt on strikes against energy infrastructure comes to an end.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that its Yug (South) group of forces had taken control of Valentynivka and Kalinovo, two settlements in the Donetsk region. The military credited “active actions” by its units for the liberation of both areas, emphasizing continued momentum on the eastern front.
These developments are part of broader territorial gains across Donetsk, as Russia pushes to consolidate its hold over contested regions.
