Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The truce began on Saturday evening and will last until midnight on Sunday.
This development follows a recent U.S. proposal discussed with European leaders during Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Paris earlier this week.
Putin expressed hope that Ukraine would also honor the ceasefire but instructed Gerasimov to keep Russian troops alert in case of any violations by Kyiv.
During the meeting, Gerasimov informed the president that Russian forces had regained control of more than 99% of the territory in the Kursk region that was taken by Ukraine during an incursion in August.
Putin Orders Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine
On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in the ongoing war with Ukraine. This ceasefire, or break in fighting, started at 8:30 PM IST on Saturday and will last until the end of Sunday.
In his announcement, Putin said he hoped that Ukraine would follow Russia’s lead and also stop fighting during this time. However, he also told Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia’s military, to make sure Russian troops remain ready to defend themselves in case Ukraine violates the ceasefire or does anything aggressive. Putin said, “We believe Ukraine will follow our example, but our forces need to be prepared to deal with any attacks or violations from the enemy.”
The timing of Russia’s ceasefire comes when there is growing pressure from the United States to bring an end to the war. US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been working hard to help both Russia and Ukraine reach a peace agreement. However, reports suggest that Trump and Rubio are becoming more frustrated because the peace talks are moving slowly.
Both Trump and Rubio made it clear on Friday that if there are no serious results from the talks soon, the US might decide to stop being involved in the negotiations. This puts more pressure on both sides to find a solution and end the conflict.
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Russian Missile Attack on Ukraine’s Sumy City Highlights Conflict
Earlier this week, two Russian ballistic missiles struck the heart of Sumy, a city in northern Ukraine, killing 34 people and injuring 117 others. This attack has become the deadliest strike in Ukraine so far this year.
In response to the tragedy, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered his condolences to the victims. He emphasized that the attack serves as a stark reminder of why President Donald Trump and his administration are dedicating so much time and effort to finding a way to end the war.
The missile strikes came just a month after the US government announced in late March that it had reached agreements with both Russia and Ukraine on two ceasefire deals. One of these agreements was intended to prevent attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the terms of these ceasefire agreements multiple times.
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FAQs
Q.1.What is the purpose of Putin’s Easter ceasefire in Ukraine?
Ans. The Easter ceasefire aims to temporarily halt fighting between Russia and Ukraine, with hopes that Ukraine will also respect the truce.
Q.2. How long will the temporary Easter ceasefire last?
Ans. The ceasefire began on Saturday evening and will last until midnight on Sunday.
Q.3. What did US officials say about the ceasefire and the ongoing war?
Ans. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed that the missile strikes highlight the urgent need for peace efforts by President Trump’s administration.
Q.4. What was the impact of the Russian missile strikes on Sumy?
Ans. The missile attack on Sumy killed 34 people and injured 117, becoming the deadliest strike in Ukraine this year.
Q.5. Have both sides respected previous ceasefire agreements?
Ans. No, both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating previous ceasefire agreements, including one regarding energy infrastructure.
