Putin declares 32-hour Easter ceasefire in Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral ceasefire starting Saturday at 4 pm local time through Sunday, following Ukrainian President Zelensky's earlier call for a pause in hostilities during Orthodox Easter weekend. The decree orders Russian forces to cease operations in all directions while remaining prepared for potential provocations. However, historical precedent suggests skepticism about implementation. Last year's similar 30-hour Easter ceasefire saw both sides accuse each other of violations. Zelensky had proposed limiting the pause to energy infrastructure targeting only. US-mediated negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv have stalled on key issues as the conflict enters its fifth year, with no progress on comprehensive settlement terms or longer truces proposed by Washington and Ukraine.
