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Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a temporary ceasefire along the frontlines in Ukraine for the Easter weekend. The ceasefire, which will last from 6 p.m. on Saturday until midnight on Monday, Moscow time, aims to provide a humanitarian pause in the ongoing conflict. The announcement came during a meeting with General Valery Gerasimov, where Putin expressed hopes that Ukraine would reciprocate the gesture. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the truce, accusing Russia of continuing its attacks despite the declared pause.

Putin’s Call for a Ceasefire

On Saturday, President Putin instructed Russian troops to halt all military operations along the frontlines for a period of 36 hours. The move was made in light of the Easter holiday and was framed as a humanitarian gesture. Speaking during a meeting with military officials, Putin emphasized that the pause was intended to allow for religious observance but also warned that Russian forces must remain vigilant for any potential provocations by Ukrainian troops. He expressed hope that Ukraine would mirror Russia’s truce, though no official response from Kyiv was given at the time of the announcement.

Putin’s ceasefire order marked a brief moment of calm, but with caveats. Despite the break in fighting, Russian forces were urged to remain prepared for any potential violations from the Ukrainian side. The ceasefire was designed to last through Easter, from the evening of April 20 until the midnight of April 22, aligning with Orthodox Christian traditions celebrating the holiday.

Zelenskyy Rejects the Ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly dismissed Putin’s ceasefire proposal as insincere and misleading. In a series of statements shared via social media platform X, Zelenskyy pointed out that Russian drones continued to patrol Ukrainian skies throughout the Easter weekend. He argued that the truce was a tactic used by Russia to exploit religious faith while simultaneously maintaining its attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

“While Russia declares a ceasefire, air raid sirens can still be heard across multiple Ukrainian cities,” Zelenskyy said. “This contradiction exposes the truce as nothing more than a symbolic gesture, meant to mask continued aggression.” His remarks were backed by reports of ongoing bombardments and drone strikes during the Easter period.

Additionally, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that Kyiv had already accepted a ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States in March, which aimed for a longer, 30-day pause in hostilities. Russia, however, rejected that plan and instead proposed a limited truce, which many saw as a strategic move rather than a genuine attempt to de-escalate the conflict.

Largest Prisoner Exchange Since the War Began

On the same weekend as the ceasefire announcement, Russia and Ukraine conducted their largest prisoner exchange since the start of the war in 2022. On Saturday, Russia confirmed the return of 246 of its soldiers from Ukrainian-controlled territory, while Ukraine celebrated the return of 277 of its troops. This marked a significant milestone in the ongoing humanitarian exchanges between the two nations.

Among those returned to Ukraine were 31 injured prisoners, who were transported back to their homeland for urgent medical care. In exchange, Ukraine handed over 15 wounded Russian soldiers. The exchange was facilitated by diplomatic efforts from the United Arab Emirates, with both governments expressing gratitude for the UAE’s mediation role.

The prisoner swap came as a rare positive development amid the broader ongoing conflict and was seen as a glimmer of hope for further humanitarian cooperation between the two sides.

US Comments Add Pressure on Both Sides

Former U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation, stating that talks between Kyiv and Moscow were “coming to a head.” Trump denied that he was being manipulated by either side, expressing optimism that there may soon be a breakthrough in negotiations. His remarks came in the wake of the Easter ceasefire announcement, drawing international attention to what could be the next phase of the war.

Washington has been actively pushing for a broader agreement that would bring an end to the hostilities, with officials suggesting that the ongoing conflict is reaching a critical juncture. The U.S. has urged both sides to engage in peace talks, although the likelihood of a long-term resolution remains uncertain.

As the Easter ceasefire unfolds, the situation in Ukraine remains tense. While the temporary truce provides a brief respite, the war shows no signs of ending anytime soon. Both sides continue to accuse one another of violating the spirit of ceasefires, and international calls for a permanent resolution grow louder. The prisoner exchange offers a rare moment of cooperation, but the road to peace remains uncertain. As global attention shifts to the next steps in the conflict, all eyes are on the potential for diplomatic breakthroughs and the role of international mediators in shaping the future of Ukraine