Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, ordering a halt to all military operations from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday until midnight on Monday. The Kremlin framed the move as a humanitarian gesture and expressed hope that Ukraine would reciprocate.
However, Ukrainian officials have expressed deep skepticism about the sincerity of the ceasefire. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the announcement, noting that air raid alerts were sounding across Ukraine shortly after the truce was declared, and accused Russia of launching drone attacks during the supposed ceasefire period.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also questioned Russia’s intentions, highlighting that Ukraine had previously agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Russia rejected. He emphasized the need for a full and unconditional ceasefire, rather than temporary pauses that may be used by Russia to regroup its forces.
The ceasefire announcement coincides with a significant prisoner exchange between the two countries, with each side releasing over 240 captured soldiers. Despite these developments, U.S.-led peace negotiations remain stalled, and the Trump administration has indicated that it may withdraw from mediation efforts if no progress is made.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, with concerns that the ceasefire may be a strategic move by Russia rather than a genuine step toward peace.