‘Easter truce’: Russian President Putin announces temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine
Kremlin Statement on Ceasefire
Moscow – The Russian Federation has declared a temporary cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, effective from 18:00 Moscow time (15:00 GMT) on Saturday, April 19, 2025, until midnight (21:00 GMT) on Sunday, April 20, 2025. This pause in military operations is intended to coincide with the Easter Sunday observance.
According to a statement released by the Kremlin, the decision was made "guided by humanitarian considerations." The announcement was reportedly made by President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. The Kremlin's Press Service quoted Mr. Putin as instructing the cessation of all military actions during the specified period.
The statement further indicated an expectation that Ukrainian forces would reciprocate the ceasefire. However, it also stipulated that Russian troops should remain prepared to respond to any potential violations of the truce or provocative actions initiated by the opposing side.
Geopolitical Context and Diplomatic Efforts
The announcement follows recent statements from international actors regarding the ongoing conflict. On Friday, April 18, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump commented that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia were "coming to a head." He also asserted that neither side was attempting to manipulate his efforts to mediate an end to the three-year war.
President Trump's remarks came shortly after Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that the United States might reconsider its involvement in seeking a peace agreement if progress was not achieved in the near future. Secretary Rubio's statement highlighted the challenges encountered in attempting to broker a resolution to the conflict after months of diplomatic efforts.
Military Operations and Regional Developments
Concurrent with the ceasefire announcement, Russia's Defense Ministry reported that its forces had gained control of the village of Oleshnya, located in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine. Independent verification of this claim was not immediately available, and there was no immediate response from Ukrainian officials.
Russian state news agency Tass reported ongoing efforts to dislodge Ukrainian forces from the village of Gornal, situated approximately 11 kilometers south of Oleshnya. Tass cited Russian security agencies as stating that "fierce fighting is underway in the settlement."
Recent reports also indicate that Ukrainian forces repelled a wave of drone attacks. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 87 drones, a combination of explosive devices and decoys, overnight into Saturday. According to Ukrainian sources, 33 drones were intercepted, and another 36 were rendered ineffective, likely through electronic jamming.
Impact on Civilian Infrastructure
Ukrainian authorities reported damage to farms in the Odesa region and fires in the Sumy region as a result of overnight Russian attacks. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service indicated that the fires had been contained and that there were no reported casualties.
In a separate statement, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that its air defense systems had intercepted two Ukrainian drones overnight into Saturday.
- Takeaway: A temporary ceasefire has been announced in Ukraine for the Easter holiday, raising hopes for a brief respite from the conflict.
- Takeaway: The situation on the ground remains contested, with reports of ongoing military operations in the Kursk region.
- Takeaway: International diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict are ongoing, but face significant challenges.
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