Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, set to begin at 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday and last through midnight on Monday. The Kremlin claims the ceasefire is a humanitarian gesture tied to the Orthodox Christian holiday, though Ukrainian officials have been quick to reject the move as political theater.
Putin’s announcement came amid renewed international pressure to deescalate the war, which has now dragged on for over three years. According to Russian officials, troops were instructed to hold fire during the truce but remain ready to respond to any “provocations” from Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky slammed the ceasefire as a hollow gesture, accusing Moscow of continuing drone strikes and missile attacks even after announcing the pause in hostilities. “This is not a ceasefire. This is a smokescreen,” Zelensky said, pointing to air raid sirens that sounded across multiple Ukrainian cities within hours of the Kremlin’s announcement.
The temporary truce coincided with the largest prisoner exchange between the two countries since the conflict began. In a coordinated swap facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, Russia released 277 Ukrainian soldiers, while Ukraine returned 246 Russian troops. The exchange also included injured personnel from both sides, a rare moment of cooperation in an otherwise brutal and unrelenting war.
This ceasefire follows earlier reports that Russia had agreed in principle to a broader 30-day U.S.-proposed ceasefire, though no final terms have been signed. Talks remain ongoing behind the scenes, and the Easter truce is seen by some as a possible precursor to more substantive negotiations—though few in Kyiv believe Moscow is serious about peace.
Western officials remain skeptical as well. Many believe the ceasefire is part of a broader effort by the Kremlin to reshape the narrative, especially as international scrutiny intensifies and Ukraine continues to resist Russian advances with the backing of U.S. and NATO allies.
For now, the Easter ceasefire appears to be more symbolic than strategic. Hostilities have not ceased in several key regions, and Ukraine’s government remains deeply distrustful of Putin’s intentions. As the war grinds on, both sides continue to fight on the battlefield while navigating the fragile dance of diplomacy behind closed doors.
The post Russia’s Putin Declares Temporary Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine appeared first on Real News Now.
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