In a significant yet cautious move, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a 30-hour military truce starting at 17:00 Italian time on Saturday, April 19, 2025, coinciding with Orthodox Easter. The ceasefire is set to last until midnight between Sunday and Monday, marking a rare moment of silence in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Putin justified this pause with "humanitarian considerations," labeling it a test to gauge whether Kiev is ready to resolve the ongoing crisis peacefully.
During a televised meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Putin stated, "I order the cessation of all military actions for this period." However, he also cautioned that Moscow's troops would remain on alert, prepared to respond to any violations or provocations from Ukrainian forces.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine would observe the truce but expressed skepticism regarding Russia's intentions. Shortly after the announcement, at 17:15, Ukrainian officials reported spotting Russian attack drones in the skies over Ukraine. Zelensky remarked, "The Shaheds [Iranian drones] in our sky show Putin's true attitude towards Easter and the lives of people," emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by Russian military actions.
Zelensky also proposed extending the truce beyond the initial deadline, stating, "If a complete ceasefire is truly established, Ukraine offers to extend it beyond Easter day, April 20." He argued that while thirty hours may create headlines, a longer pause would better reveal Russia's true intentions and could foster genuine trust and peace efforts.
Despite the announced ceasefire, reports indicated that Russian assaults were ongoing in various sectors of the front. The governor of the Kherson region reported drone attacks from Russia, while air raid alerts were activated across several eastern regions of Ukraine, including Kiev. Around 21:00 French time, an air alert sounded in the capital, indicating a potential missile threat.
In light of the ongoing hostilities, Zelensky reiterated his lack of trust in Moscow's promises, saying, "We have no confidence in the words coming from Moscow. We know too well their capacity to manipulate, and we remain ready. The Ukrainian defense forces will respond to any attack." This sentiment was echoed by Ukrainian soldiers, who expressed their extreme distrust of any ceasefire claims from Russia, with one soldier stating, "It is impossible to believe in any ceasefire from these people. I think this man [Putin] is diabolical, a murderer, but he could do it to give a little hope or show his humanity. Regardless, we have no trust. These 30 hours will lead to nothing."
Notably, attempts to establish a ceasefire during Easter have occurred twice since the onset of the conflict in February 2022. In April 2022, a proposal by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres failed due to Russia's refusal, citing concerns that Ukrainian forces could regroup and rearm. A year later, in January 2023, Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill called for a ceasefire for Easter, leading to a 36-hour truce that Ukraine deemed a "trap," as hostilities continued unabated.
On the diplomatic front, U.S. officials reportedly presented a peace plan to European and Ukrainian delegations in Paris. While details remain scarce, discussions are set to continue next week in London, aiming to find a credible agreement to end the conflict. Speculation has arisen that the U.S. might be willing to recognize Russian control over Crimea as part of a broader settlement, though Washington has remained silent on this matter.
As the military situation evolves, Russia announced the recapture of Oleshnya, the second-to-last village under Ukrainian control in the Kursk region. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that units of the Northern Group had liberated the village during offensive operations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces now only hold the city of Gornal in the region, as Russian troops continue to push forward.
Additionally, Russian forces claimed to have taken control of Shevchenko in the Donetsk region, a strategic target in the ongoing offensive that is crucial for controlling mineral resources, including lithium and coal. The situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for continued engagement despite the temporary truce.
As the world watches closely, the unfolding events highlight the complex dynamics of the conflict, with both military and diplomatic efforts vying for resolution amid a backdrop of deep mistrust and ongoing violence. The Easter truce, while a momentary pause, raises questions about the potential for lasting peace and whether the parties involved can move beyond the cycle of conflict.
