Putin announces alleged 30-hour Easter ceasefire

During a meeting in the Kremlin, Putin listened to a report from the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, regarding the situation along the line of contact. Putin then stated that the Russian side would halt all combat operations from 6:00 PM on April 19 to 12:00 AM on April 21 Moscow time.

"Guided by humanitarian considerations, from 6:00 PM today (Moscow time -ed.) until midnight between Sunday and Monday, the Russian side is declaring an Easter ceasefire," the Russian president said.

He explained that during this period, all combat operations by Russia should be suspended.

"We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow our example. However, our troops must be prepared to repel any violations of the ceasefire and provocations from the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions on its part," he added.

Ukraine's reaction to Putin's Easter ceasefire

The head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation (CCD), Andriy Kovalenko, noted that this ceasefire would last only 30 hours.

"Why for 30 hours, and not an unconditional ceasefire, as we proposed back on March 11?" he said.

Full ceasefire in Ukraine

This year, with the mediation of the US, Ukraine and Russia agreed to stop striking energy and port infrastructure. The so-called "ceasefire" was set to take effect on March 25.

However, Russia violated all agreements by launching strikes on Ukrainian energy system facilities.

Notably, two rounds of negotiations have already taken place in Saudi Arabia between representatives of Ukraine and the US, as well as between Washington and Moscow.

For more details on what is hindering peace negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia, read RBC-Ukraine's article.