Putin Orders Conditional Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary Easter truce in Ukraine, ordering Russian military operations to pause from 6 p.m. Saturday until midnight Sunday, citing humanitarian reasons. Russia’s Defense Ministry has instructed commanders to observe the ceasefire, but warned it will only be upheld if Ukraine reciprocates, and fighting is reportedly ongoing in contested border regions. There is no indication that the truce was coordinated with Ukraine in advance, and Ukrainian authorities have not yet acknowledged or agreed to the ceasefire offer. Putin suggested that Kyiv’s response would indicate its willingness for peace negotiations. Previous ceasefire proposals during religious holidays have often failed to secure mutual agreement. The situation remains fluid, with both sides monitoring compliance and the potential for violations.