Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a 32-hour, two-day ceasefire yesterday to coincide with the Orthodox Easter holiday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine would comply with the measure.
According to Thai News Agency, the ceasefire announcement this Easter Sunday comes at a time when US-led efforts to resolve the conflict that has dragged on for more than four years have shown no progress, amid heightened fighting in Iran and the Middle East.
The Russian presidential administration stated that the Easter ceasefire would be in effect from 4:00 PM local time on Saturday (7:00 PM Thailand time) until midnight on Sunday (3:00 AM Monday Thailand time). Russia is acting on the expectation that Ukraine will also comply.
The report states that Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov ordered General Valery Gerasimov, Chairman of the Army Joint Chiefs of Staff, to suspend all military operations during this period. However, Russian forces were still ordered to remain prepared to respond to any provocation or aggressive actions from the enemy that might occur at any time.
President Zelenskyy stated via Telegram that Ukraine has consistently offered a ceasefire during the Easter holidays and is ready to take reciprocal actions to allow citizens to celebrate without threats, which would be a real step towards peace. He also expressed hope that Russia would use this opportunity to end its ongoing attacks even after the holiday period.
According to the Orthodox calendar, the main religion in both Russia and Ukraine, Easter this year falls on April 12th.
Putin's ceasefire announcement is similar to the 30-hour ceasefire ordered last year, which both sides accused the other of violating the agreement.