Ceasefire Window: April 19–21
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, calling it an “Easter truce.” The pause in military activity began at 6 p.m. local time on Saturday, April 19, and is set to last until midnight on April 21. The Kremlin said it expects Ukraine to follow suit, though it warned of retaliation for any “violations or provocations.”
Ukraine Responds with Skepticism
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not confirm whether Ukraine would observe the ceasefire, ABC News reported. In a statement Saturday, he criticized the move as “yet another attempt by Putin to play with human lives,” noting that Russian attacks were still occurring shortly before the ceasefire was supposed to begin.
Ongoing U.S. Peace Efforts
The truce comes as the U.S. intensifies diplomatic efforts to end the war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks in Paris this week, calling the discussions “productive,” but also warned that the U.S. was prepared to walk away if no progress was made.
“We need to figure out here, now within a matter of days, whether this is doable in the short term,” Rubio said Friday before leaving France. “If it’s not, then I think we’re just going to move on.”
President Donald Trump echoed those sentiments from the White House, stating that the U.S. would make a decision on the next steps “very shortly.”
Ceasefire on Energy Strikes Ends
The so-called Easter truce follows the expiration of a separate 30-day ceasefire that had paused strikes on critical energy infrastructure. That agreement, brokered by the Trump administration last month, has now lapsed with no word from Moscow on whether those attacks will resume.
Both sides have accused each other of breaching that earlier deal, raising doubts about the sincerity of the new truce.
What’s Next?
With diplomacy stalling and skepticism surrounding the Easter ceasefire, it remains unclear whether this brief pause in fighting will lead to any long-term progress.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates on Que Onda Magazine.