Putin Announces Temporary Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with the Orthodox Easter holidays. According to a Kremlin statement released on April 19, 2025, Russian forces will halt all military activities starting at 6:00 PM on April 19 and will remain inactive until midnight on April 21.

Putin expressed hope that Ukraine would reciprocate by refraining from military operations during this period. However, he emphasized that Russian troops would remain prepared to respond immediately to any ceasefire violations, provocations, or aggressive actions from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This announcement comes as a surprising move in the context of escalating hostilities and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving peace.

The Kremlin suggests that the Easter truce is intended to facilitate a humanitarian pause, allowing civilians to celebrate the holiday with greater safety and security.

This ceasefire coincides with renewed international efforts to broker a lasting resolution to the conflict. A meeting involving representatives from the United States, Ukraine, and European nations is set for next week in London, where discussions will focus on a peace proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Reports indicate that Kyiv is largely supportive of the U.S. initiative, with a 90% approval rate, although critical issues—including the status of disputed territories—remain unresolved. In this context, Putin’s Easter truce may be interpreted as a gesture of goodwill from Moscow ahead of these pivotal negotiations.