Putin Announces Easter Ceasefire in Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a unilateral ceasefire during the Easter period in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as announced by the Kremlin. The ceasefire is set to commence on Saturday at 6 PM local time and will last until midnight on Sunday. This announcement marks an effort by Russia to promote a humanitarian pause amidst the war, although the response from Ukraine has yet to materialize.
In his televised address, President Putin expressed the hope that Ukraine would follow Russia’s lead during this truce. He suggested that Ukraine’s adherence to the ceasefire would reflect its willingness to engage in peaceful negotiations and resolutions. However, he also conveyed a cautious stance, instructing military officials to remain vigilant for any potential breaches of the ceasefire by Ukrainian forces.
The Russian Defense Ministry elaborated on the ceasefire, stating it is being implemented for humanitarian purposes. The ministry emphasized that the ceasefire would be upheld by the Russian Joint Group of Troops, contingent upon mutual observance by the Ukrainian side. This development comes following a previous agreement in which President Putin pledged to suspend attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for a period of 30 days, a decision made during a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Despite this ceasefire declaration, both Russia and Ukraine have reported ongoing military engagements, indicating a complex and challenging environment for peace efforts. Notably, President Putin accused Ukraine of numerous violations of ceasefire terms, particularly concerning attacks on energy infrastructure. He claimed that these instances had occurred over a hundred times, while maintaining that Russia’s position on the front lines has remained advantageous.
Moreover, President Putin reiterated Russia’s openness to negotiations, welcoming the involvement of the United States, China, and other nations in pursuing a fair resolution to the conflict. This approach suggests an ongoing commitment to diplomatic efforts, even amid military operations.
As the truce is set to commence, the eyes of the international community remain focused on Ukraine to see whether this initiative will pave the way for a more sustainable cessation of hostilities and open avenues for dialogue.
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