Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 32-hour ceasefire across Ukraine for the Orthodox Easter weekend on Thursday, April 9, responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's earlier call for a holiday pause in hostilities.
The Kremlin decree instructs Russian forces to halt operations from 4 pm local time on Saturday until the end of Sunday. Zelensky had proposed that both sides refrain from targeting energy infrastructure during the period, conveying the offer via the United States, which has mediated talks amid Russia's invasion entering its fifth year.
Kyiv offered no immediate response to the announcement.
Past ceasefire efforts have faltered. Putin issued a similar 30-hour pause last Easter, but both sides accused each other of violations. The Kremlin statement emphasised that orders cover "all directions," with troops ready to counter "any possible provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions." It expressed hope that Ukraine would reciprocate.
Moscow has spurned a US-Ukraine proposal for a 30-day unconditional truce last year, demanding a full settlement instead, while announcing several brief unilateral pauses. US-led negotiations have stalled on core issues, with Washington's focus shifting to the Middle East as fighting persists along the 1,250-km front line.
(Inputs from AP)