Vladimir Putin announces ‘Easter truce’ in Russia-Ukraine war, to last till midnight Sunday

Putin made the announcement in televised comments, while speaking to Russian chief of staff Valery Gerasimov

Updated on: Apr 20, 2025, 01:07:16 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday announced an Easter truce in the conflict in Ukraine, starting on Saturday evening and lasting till midnight on Sunday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP File)

The announcement comes amid a proposal from the United States that was presented to European leaders during secretary of state Marco Rubio's visit to Paris this week.

"Today from 1800 (1500 GMT) to midnight Sunday (2100 GMT Sunday), the Russian side announces an Easter truce," Putin said in televised comments, while speaking to Russian chief of staff Valery Gerasimov, AFP reported.

The Russian leader added that he assumed Ukraine would follow Russia's example, but told Gerasimov to ready Russian troops to repel any violations of the truce by Kyiv.

In the televised meeting, the military chief told Putin that Russian troops had retaken over 99 percent of the territory seized by Ukraine in the Kursk region in an incursion launched in August.

"In the areas of the Kursk region where the Ukrainian armed forces mounted an incursion, the main part of the territory... is now liberated. That's 1,260 square kilometres, 99.5 percent," Gerasimov said in the meeting.

The US peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine war

The US has reportedly offered to ease sanctions on Moscow in a plan presented to allies aimed at enabling a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the plan also includes an outline of terms to end the fighting. The sanctions may be eased in the event of a lasting ceasefire.

The renewed push to end the war came even as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested on Friday that the Trump administration is prepared to “move on” from its peace efforts unless progress is made. US Vice President JD Vance, on the other hand, said in Rome on the same day that he was “optimistic” about the chances of bringing the war to a close.

The contours of the US plan was shared during meetings in Paris on Thursday, the sources quoted in the Bloomberg report confirmed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.