On April 19, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral “Easter Truce” in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, halting military strikes on energy infrastructure from 6 PM Saturday to midnight Sunday.
In a televised address to General Valery Gerasimov, Putin framed the 30-hour pause as a “humanitarian” gesture to honor Orthodox Easter, urging Ukraine to reciprocate. The truce follows a massive prisoner exchange—246 Russians for 277 Ukrainians—and comes amid Russia’s control of 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, after three years of war that has killed or wounded hundreds of thousands.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly dismissed the truce as a “ploy,” pointing to Russian drone attacks just 45 minutes before the pause began. “Shaheds in our skies are Putin’s true attitude to Easter,” Zelenskyy said, referencing Iran-supplied Shahed-136 drones.
Ukraine’s foreign minister echoed skepticism, noting a failed 2022 Easter truce and Russia’s history of violations. Both sides agreed to a limited 30-day pause on energy and maritime attacks, but no full ceasefire exists. The White House called it a “step toward peace,” with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff preparing for broader talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 20.
The truce coincides with Russian advances in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, raising questions about Putin’s motives. Analysts suggest it could be a tactic to regroup forces or deflect international pressure, especially as 183,000 alleged Russian war crimes are under scrutiny. Ukraine insists Europe must co-sign any deal, wary of Russia’s track record.