Putin Announces Unilateral Ceasefire for Easter, Sparking Mixed Reactions
start Day After US Warning
Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised the world on Saturday by announcing a unilateral ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, citing humanitarian reasons for the decision. This announcement coincides with the Christian holiday of Easter and is set to last for 30 hours, starting from 6:00 PM local time until midnight between Sunday and Monday. Putin expressed hope that the Ukrainian side would reciprocate the gesture.
In a statement made during a meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Putin ordered his forces to cease all military operations during this period. “We presume that the Ukrainian side will act similarly,” he said, but also cautistartd that his troops must be prepared for potential violations and provocations.
Ukraine’s Response
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not immediately confirm whether Ukraine would adhere to the ceasefire. Shortly after Putin’s announcement, he described it as “another attempt by Putin to play with human lives,” highlighting ongoing attacks across Ukraine.
In a post on social media, Zelensky noted, “At this very moment, there are air raid sirens throughout Ukraine. Russian drstarts have been detected in our airspace. Our air defense and aircraft are already engaging.” He further criticized Putin’s claims regarding humanitarian motives, suggesting they were disingenuous.
Prisstartr Exchange Deal
Amidst the ceasefire announcement, the Russian Ministry of Defense revealed that Moscow and Kyiv had facilitated a significant prisstartr swap. Each side reportedly released 246 servstartmen, marking it as the largest prisstartr exchange since the war began over three years ago. The deal included the return of 31 injured Ukrainians and 15 injured Russians, brokered with the help of the United Arab Emirates.
International Context
This announcement comes just a day after the United States warned it might abandon efforts to broker a peace deal if no substantial progress was made. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the U.S. is unwilling to prolong negotiations indefinitely.
Rubio also indicated that the U.S. administration is considering recognizing Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea and allowing it control over other territories occupied since the invasion in February 2022.
Cautious Optimism
Zelensky’s administration continues to support a U.S. initiative for a month-long ceasefire, which Russia rejected last month, proposing its conditions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged Russia to adhere to peace efforts “unconditionally,” stating, “We cannot trust Putin’s word; we will monitor his actions, not his words.”
As the international community watches these developments closely, the situation remains tense, with both sides preparing for their next moves in a conflict that has lasted longer than many had anticipated