Putin announces 'Easter Truce', Zelensky accuses him of 'playing with human lives': Top developments

Putin announces 'Easter Truce', Zelensky accuses him of 'playing with human lives'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced temporary Easter truce amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, which will last till midnight on Sunday. The Russian military will halt operation from 6.00 pm on Friday.

This announced from Russia amid proposal from the United States that was presented to European leaders by state secretary Marco Rubio during his 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.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to the eastern truce of Putin he is accusing him of manipulating humanitarian gestures for political purposes reported AFP.

"As for yet another attempt by Putin to play with human lives -- at this moment, air raid alerts are spreading across Ukraine," Zelensky wrote on X.

I have just received a report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.Today, our forces continued their activity on the territory of the Kursk region and are holding their positions. In the Belgorod region, our warriors have advanced and expanded our zone of control.As for
Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) April 19, 2025

In a significant development alongside the announcement of an Easter truce, Russia and Ukraine on Saturday carried out a large-scale prisoner of war exchange. According to a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry, both sides released more than 240 prisoners each.

Let’s take a closer look at the key developments leading up to the truce.

• Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter truce in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The ceasefire will be in effect from 6:00 PM (Moscow time) on Saturday until midnight on Sunday.
• All Russian military operations are to be halted during this time. The truce is being presented as a humanitarian gesture from Russia.
• The announcement follows a US proposal reportedly delivered to European leaders by U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio during his visit to Paris this week. The move comes amid renewed international calls for de-escalation and dialogue between the two nations.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Putin's announcement of an Easter truce. He accused the Russian leader of using humanitarian gestures for political manipulation.
• Zelensky pointed out that air raid sirens were sounding across Ukraine even as the truce was announced. In a post on X, he said Russia’s actions show its “true attitude toward Easter and human life.” Zelensky did not confirm whether Ukraine would observe the proposed truce.
• Russia and Ukraine conducted a major prisoner of war exchange on Saturday, April 19. Each side released 246 prisoners, according to the Russian defence ministry. Russia received 246 of its soldiers from Ukrainian-controlled territory.
• In return, 246 Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed back to Kyiv. As a goodwill gesture, Ukraine also released 15 wounded Russian soldiers needing urgent medical care. In exchange, Russia handed over 31 wounded Ukrainian prisoners of war.
• The United States has reportedly proposed easing sanctions on Russia to support a potential peace deal with Ukraine. The proposal was presented to allied nations, according to Bloomberg.
• The plan includes a framework for ending the ongoing conflict. Easing of sanctions would be conditional on a lasting and verifiable ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The move signals a possible diplomatic shift toward conflict resolution.

The temporary Easter truce and prisoner exchange signal, though tensions remain high as both sides navigate political challenges.