Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a brief, 30-hour pause in hostilities in Ukraine that will cover Easter Sunday. The truce is set to take effect at 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday (April 19) and end at midnight Sunday, Putin said at a televised meeting with the military’s chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov.”I order all combat operations to cease for that period. We proceed from the premise that the Ukrainian side will follow our example,” Putin said. “At the same time, our forces must be ready to repel any violation of the ceasefire and any provocations from the adversary.” Ukrainian officials haven’t commented.
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Putin’s move comes after the US warned on Friday that it may abandon efforts to end the war in Ukraine within days if there isn’t progress toward it. On Friday, the Kremlin said an order to pause strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days had expired, with no updated instructions in place.Russia has offered brief truces before and during its three-year war in Ukraine, notably a proposal for a cessation of hostilities during the Orthodox Christmas period in 2023.
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First Published: Apr 19, 2025 8:40 PM IS
