Vladimir Putin has declared a 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine over the Orthodox Easter weekend, following a call from Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a pause. The Kremlin statement, released on Thursday, orders Russian forces to observe a ceasefire from 4pm on Saturday until the end of Sunday.
Zelenskyy earlier proposed that both sides stop targeting each other's energy infrastructure during the holiday, stating he made the offer through the US. The US has been mediating talks between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv as the conflict enters its fifth year.
There was no immediate reaction from Kyiv to Putin's announcement. Previous ceasefires have had little impact; last Easter, Putin declared a 30-hour ceasefire, but both sides accused each other of breaking it.
The Kremlin said troops are to be prepared for any provocations, adding: 'We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow the example of the Russian Federation.' Russia has rejected a 30-day unconditional truce proposed by the US and Ukraine, insisting on a comprehensive settlement.
