Putin announces 30-hour Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, asks Kyiv to show goodwill

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced an Easter ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict.

The ceasefire will last 30 hours starting 6:00 pm on Saturday, April 19 (Moscow time).

“Today from 1800 (1500 GMT) to midnight Sunday (2100 GMT Sunday), the Russian side announces an Easter truce,” Putin said in televised comments.

The president made the announcement after meeting with Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov, asking Kyiv to show goodwill and observe the temporary truce.

However, Putin cautioned Russian forces regarding potential violations of the ceasefire by Ukrainian forces during the 30-hour halt.

“At the same time, our troops must be prepared to react to possible violations of the ceasefire and provocations by the adversary, to any aggressive actions,” Putin stated.

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The Russian Defence Ministry later also confirmed the ceasefire. In a statement, it said, “The ceasefire is being introduced for humanitarian purposes and will be observed by the Russian Joint Group of Troops, provided it is mutually observed by the Kiev regime.”

The announcement comes amid a proposal from the United States that was presented to European leaders during Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Paris this week.

Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Thursday (April 17) that Russia could step up attacks on Ukraine during and after Easter.

We know what Russia is preparing for," he said, adding, “Now, ahead of Easter, and after it, new Russian attacks are possible.”

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Last month, Putin agreed to pause strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days following a call with US President Donald Trump. Despite that, both Ukrainian and Russian officials have pointed to continued attacks, suggesting the truce has been shaky at best.

Ukraine said it was ready for a broader US-supported 30-day ceasefire, but Putin has not fully committed to that proposal. Over the weekend, Russian media reported that Putin accused Ukraine of breaching the energy truce over 100 times, though he also claimed Russia still holds a favourable position along the front lines.

‘Kursk 99% reclaimed’

In the televised meeting, Valery Gerasimov also claimed that Russian forces have reclaimed 99 per cent of the territory seized by Ukraine in the Kursk region in an incursion launched in August.

“In the areas of the Kursk region where the Ukrainian armed forces mounted an incursion, the main part of the territory… is now liberated. That’s 1,260 square kilometres, 99.5 percent,” Gerasimov said in the meeting.