Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter truce in the ongoing war with Ukraine, the Kremlin said Saturday. The move, intended to pause fighting during the Orthodox Easter holiday, was quickly met with skepticism by Ukrainian officials.
In a video released by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Putin stated, “Guided by humanitarian considerations, today from 18:00 to 00:00 from Sunday to Monday, the Russian side declares an Easter truce.” He was joined in the announcement by Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff, and ordered a full halt to military activity during the designated time.
The war, which has stretched on for more than three years, has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides. However, Ukraine’s response to the ceasefire announcement was far from welcoming.
Putin announces Easter truce with Ukraine pic.twitter.com/qIbgd3781k
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) April 19, 2025
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted an update shortly after Putin’s declaration, stating that air raid sirens were sounding across Ukraine, even as the Russian president spoke of peace. “At 17:15, Russian attack drones were detected in our skies,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin’s true attitude toward Easter and toward human life.”
Zelenskyy continued by detailing Ukrainian troop positions, claiming his forces were holding firm in the contested Kursk region and making advances in Russia’s Belgorod region.
Ukraine has reportedly expanded its control there, though Russia’s Defense Ministry countered that its troops had successfully repelled Ukrainian forces from one of their last strongholds in the Kursk area, where Ukrainian units had launched a surprise incursion last year.
The proposed truce appears more symbolic than substantive, given the continuing airstrikes and hostilities reported by both sides. Critics in Ukraine have labeled similar moves by Moscow as propaganda stunts rather than genuine peace efforts.
The ceasefire announcement comes just days after former President Donald Trump revealed that a minerals agreement with Ukraine is set to be signed within the week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later clarified that the deal would likely be finalized on April 26. While specifics of the 80-page deal are still under wraps, Bloomberg has reported that the U.S. has scaled back its repayment demands for wartime aid to Ukraine—from $300 billion to $100 billion.
Trump also made headlines on Friday with his comments on peace negotiations, warning that if Russia refuses to accept ceasefire terms, the U.S. may disengage. “If one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say, ‘you’re fools, horrible people,’ and we’ll take a pass,” Trump told reporters. “But hopefully we won’t have to do that.”