Ukraine War: Russian President Putin announces ceasefire on Easter, appeals to Ukraine to implement ceasefire

Vladimir Putin – Photo: ANI (File)

Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a ceasefire on Saturday April 19 , 2025 (IST) on the occasion of Easter. He also appealed to Ukraine to implement this ceasefire.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ceasefire on Easter in the ongoing war with Ukraine. The Kremlin said that this ceasefire will be in force from 6 pm on Saturday (Moscow time) till midnight on Easter Sunday. President Putin made this announcement in a meeting with General Staff Chief General Gerasimov.

Putin said in a meeting with Gerasimov, “Keeping in mind the humanitarian spirit, the Russian side declares a ceasefire from 6 pm today to midnight on Easter. I order to stop all military action during this period.” The Russian President also appealed to Ukraine to respect this ceasefire and implement a ceasefire in response. He said that fighting should be stopped on this festive occasion. However, he also said, our forces should be ready to respond to any ceasefire violation, provocation or aggressive action of the enemy.

In the meeting, General Gerasimov said that except for two small areas bordering Ukraine, the entire Kursk region is now under our control. It is worth noting that in August 2024, the Ukrainian army infiltrated the Kursk region and captured some parts. Now Russia claims that most of the Ukrainian army has been pushed back from there.

The Russian Defense Ministry also reported that Russian forces have pushed back Ukrainian troops from an important area in the Kursk region. The ministry said that Russia has gained control of the village of Olesnya bordering Ukraine, which was one of the last bases of Ukraine in the region.