Ukraine wary as Russia’s Putin declares Easter ceasefire

Ukraine said it would reciprocate any genuine ceasefire by Moscow, but voiced scepticism after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter truce in Ukraine starting Saturday.

The announcement from Kyiv came as Russia and Ukraine conducted their largest prisoner exchange since Moscow’s full-scale invasion started over three years ago.

Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine starting Saturday, citing humanitarian reasons. According to the Kremlin, the ceasefire will last from 6pm Moscow time on Saturday to midnight following Easter Sunday.

Putin offered no details on how the ceasefire would be monitored or whether it would cover air strikes or ongoing ground battles that rage around the clock.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said if Russia is genuinely ready to observe a full and unconditional ceasefire, Ukraine will mirror that approach and strike only in defence.

He said such a gesture, particularly over the Easter weekend, could reveal Moscow’s true intentions.