Putin declares temporary ‘Easter truce’ in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced an “Easter truce” in the ongoing war in Ukraine, stating that Russian forces will halt military operations from 6 p.m. local time on Saturday until midnight on April 21. This declaration was made in a statement released on the Kremlin’s Telegram channel.

Putin expressed hope that the Ukrainian side would reciprocate the ceasefire, but also warned that Russia would respond to any violations or provocations during this period. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy did not immediately respond to Putin’s proposal, criticizing it as yet another attempt by the Russian leader to manipulate the situation while Russian attacks continued even as the ceasefire was set to begin.

Meanwhile, discussions to end the conflict in Ukraine have been ongoing, with U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, engaging in talks in Paris. Rubio described the negotiations as productive but emphasized that the U.S. was prepared to move on if they did not yield tangible results.

In light of recent developments, President Donald Trump echoed Rubio’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for prompt decisions regarding the peace process. Moscow’s response indicated a lack of urgency in reaching a resolution, suggesting that a deal may not be imminent.

Moreover, a previous 30-day ceasefire aimed at halting strikes on energy infrastructure targets has lapsed without a clear indication from Putin on whether attacks will resume. Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of breaching the terms of this agreement, complicating efforts to establish a lasting ceasefire.

As the situation unfolds, it is essential to monitor updates for further developments. ABC News’ Shannon Kingston has contributed to the coverage of this evolving story.

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