Russia’s Putin declares unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine conflict

Summary

Putin announced a 30-hour ceasefire on Easter Monday, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed it as an "attempt by Putin to play with human lives," citing ongoing missile and drone attacks. The truce was extended for religious observance but appeared to be ignored by Kyiv forces, who told Russian troops to stand down if violated. Meanwhile, Moscow claimed the move reflects its readiness to negotiate peace, while Ukraine emphasized it had agreed to a full interim ceasefire in March, which Russia rejected.

Additional Summaries

Putin announced a unilateral Easter truce amid the Ukraine conflict, while Zelenskyy criticized it as an attempt to manipulate the international community. The truce includes air raid warnings and Russian drones targeting Ukraine, raising concerns about human rights. However, Ukraine remains skeptical, recalling past failed attempts at truces and expressing readiness for further escalation despite Putin’s claims of humanitarian grounds. Meanwhile, a prisoner swap involving 246 prisoners from each side was mediated by the UAE, with Zelenskyy acknowledging their role in protecting civilians during the invasion since 2022.