In a surprise move, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in the ongoing war with Ukraine, a gesture that has been met with deep skepticism by Ukrainian officials. The pause in hostilities was set to begin at 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday and last until midnight Monday, aligning with the Orthodox Easter holiday.
Putin stated that “all hostilities” would be suspended during this time, expressing hope that Ukraine would reciprocate. “We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow our example,” he said, framing the ceasefire as a test of Kyiv’s commitment to peace talks.
However, Ukrainian authorities quickly dismissed the gesture as disingenuous, claiming that Russian forces continued to launch attacks despite the declared truce. Officials in Kyiv have voiced concerns that the announcement may be a political maneuver rather than a genuine step toward de-escalation.
The truce comes as the war reaches a critical juncture, with frontlines remaining volatile and U.S.-led diplomatic efforts showing little progress. While Moscow presents the ceasefire as a sign of openness to negotiations, Ukraine and its allies view it as a potential distraction from Russia’s broader military objectives.
As violence persists despite the supposed pause, doubts grow over the sincerity of Russia’s intentions—and whether peace remains within reach.
