Putin declares ‘Easter truce’, as Ukraine says he ‘can’t be trusted’

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/5767/live/db076e40-1d28-11f0-b700-f1f963c8c095.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/5767/live/db076e40-1d28-11f0-b700-f1f963c8c095.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5767/live/db076e40-1d28-11f0-b700-f1f963c8c095.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/5767/live/db076e40-1d28-11f0-b700-f1f963c8c095.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/5767/live/db076e40-1d28-11f0-b700-f1f963c8c095.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/5767/live/db076e40-1d28-11f0-b700-f1f963c8c095.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/5767/live/db076e40-1d28-11f0-b700-f1f963c8c095.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5767/live/db076e40-1d28-11f0-b700-f1f963c8c095.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Getty Images A Ukrainian law enforcement officer inspects a crater next to a destroyed building following a missile attack in Kharkiv " class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Getty Photographs Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has ordered his forces to "cease all army exercise" in Ukraine, as he declared an "Easter truce" till the tip of Sunday.

He mentioned the 30-hour truce would final till 22:00 BST on Sunday (00:00 Moscow time), including that Russian forces ought to be ready to answer "any attainable violations".

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of making an attempt to "play with human lives" - however didn't say whether or not Ukraine had agreed to the halt in combating.

Zelensky mentioned Russian drones have been detected in Ukraine's skies shortly earlier than the truce was set to return into impact, which he mentioned revealed Putin's "true perspective towards Easter and towards human life".

Ukraine's Overseas Minister Andriy Sybiha mentioned Ukraine had already agreed to a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, writing on X: "Putin has now made statements about his alleged readiness for a cease-fire. 30 hours as an alternative of 30 days."

"Sadly, now we have had a protracted historical past of his statements not matching his actions. We all know his phrases can't be trusted and we are going to take a look at actions, not phrases," he added.

Putin introduced the non permanent truce at a gathering together with his chief of common employees, Valery Gerasimov.

"Primarily based on humanitarian concerns... the Russian aspect declares an Easter truce. I order a cease to all army actions for this era," Putin advised Gerasimov.

"We assume that Ukraine will comply with our instance. On the identical time, our troops ought to be ready to repel attainable violations of the truce and provocations by the enemy, any aggressive actions."

The Russian defence ministry mentioned its troops would adhere to the ceasefire supplied it was "mutually revered" by Ukraine.

It's not the primary time a pause in combating has been immediately introduced - a earlier try at a ceasefire throughout Orthodox Christmas in January 2023 fell aside after either side didn't agree on a proposal.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/e51a/live/f14956c0-1d2b-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/e51a/live/f14956c0-1d2b-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e51a/live/f14956c0-1d2b-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/e51a/live/f14956c0-1d2b-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/e51a/live/f14956c0-1d2b-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/e51a/live/f14956c0-1d2b-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/e51a/live/f14956c0-1d2b-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e51a/live/f14956c0-1d2b-11f0-b265-abe347419ae3.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Force in Moscow." class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Reuters Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, 2022. It's estimated that a whole bunch of 1000's of individuals - the overwhelming majority of them troopers - have been killed or injured on all sides.

The US has been straight speaking to Russia as a part of its efforts to finish the warfare, however has struggled to make main progress.

Final month, Moscow rejected a proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire that had been agreed by the US and Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump on Friday warned Washington would "take a move" on brokering additional talks on ending the warfare in Ukraine until there was fast progress.

He was talking after Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned the US was not "going to proceed with this endeavour for weeks and months on finish", because it had "different priorities to give attention to".