Putin Announces Temporary Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine: What It Means for Peace Talks

Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary “Easter truce” in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, effective from 6 p.m. until midnight on Sunday. In a televised address, he stated, “For this period, I order to stop all fighting,” citing humanitarian grounds. However, he cautioned that Russian forces must be prepared for any potential violations of the truce. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the ceasefire as a manipulation of humanitarian concerns, asserting that air alerts were still active across Ukraine due to ongoing drone strikes. Past attempts to establish ceasefires during Easter and Christmas have proven unsuccessful, leaving uncertainty about Ukraine’s response.

In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine executed a prisoner exchange, mediated by the UAE, amidst escalating tensions. Russia reported the return of 246 service members while Ukraine welcomed back 277 of its “warriors,” marking the largest exchange since the conflict began.

As military actions persist, Russian forces recently claimed control over territory in the Kursk region, but Ukraine insists on maintaining its positions. Both sides are gearing up for further confrontations, with fighting reported near the village of Gornal, intensifying the conflict’s immediate reality even as diplomatic efforts face challenges.