By Ghazali Ibrahim
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a temporary 32-hour ceasefire to mark the Orthodox Easter holiday, offering a brief pause in hostilities in the ongoing war.
The truce was announced on Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a halt to military operations, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicating that Kyiv would honour the arrangement.
According to details released by the Kremlin, the ceasefire is scheduled to begin on Saturday afternoon and run through Sunday night, covering a 32-hour period during which troops on both sides are expected to suspend combat operations.
Russian authorities described the move as a humanitarian gesture tied to the religious significance of Orthodox Easter, one of the most important holidays observed in both countries.
The development follows earlier calls by Zelenskyy for a temporary truce during the Easter period, including proposals to halt attacks on critical infrastructure.
Despite the agreement, officials on both sides have expressed caution, with Russian forces reportedly instructed to remain on alert for any potential violations during the ceasefire window.
Previous attempts at short-term truces between the two countries have largely failed, with both Moscow and Kyiv accusing each other of breaches.
The latest ceasefire comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, which has entered its fourth year, raising hopes that even a temporary pause could open the door for renewed negotiations.
