Putin declares Easter ceasefire, Zelensky raises reaction from Kiev
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia will suspend all military operations until 0:00 on April 21, Moscow time, and called on Kiev to do the same. The statement was made after Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to Mr. Putin at the Kremlin.
Easter ceasefire
According to TASS, Chief of the General Staff Gerasimov informed the Russian commander-in-chief that “most of the Kursk region has been liberated from Ukrainian forces.” A group of enemies was surrounded in a village in the Belgorod region.
According to this source, based on humanitarian considerations, Russia decided to temporarily suspend all military actions from 6:00 p.m. on April 19 to 0:00 a.m. on April 21, Moscow time.
"I order a ceasefire for the time being. We expect the Ukrainian side to follow suit," Mr. Putin declared.
However, he stressed: "The Russian military must be vigilant against any possible violations and provocations from the enemy, including aggressive actions."
He also accused the Kiev government of violating the agreement not to attack energy infrastructure more than 100 times.
"Along the contact line, the situation is stable and is developing in our favor. The Russian army is advancing systematically. In border areas such as Kursk and Belgorod, after completing combat operations to ensure security in the region, separate reports will be presented," the Russian leader said.
Russia continues to affirm its readiness for negotiations and welcomes the interest of the United States, China and other countries in pursuing a “peaceful and just solution” to the Ukraine crisis.
Report from Gerasimov
Russian armed forces have taken control of most districts in the Kursk region that were previously controlled by Ukraine, Mr. Gerasimov said.
"The majority of the territory of the area - about 1,260 km², or 99.5% - has been liberated," he said. "Operations in the Gornal area are nearing completion, the 810th Marine Brigade is fighting against enemy units in Gornal and the surrounding forests."
Ukrainian units attempted to penetrate Russian territory near Demidovka and Popovka in the Belgorod region, however these attempts were repelled.
"Currently, the Demidovka area is cleared of enemy forces. Several small groups (up to 12 people) remaining in the forest south of Popovka are surrounded and efforts to destroy or capture them are continuing. The area is completely sealed off."
Mr. Zelensky declared that Kiev is ready to comply with the ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky later affirmed that Ukraine would comply with the Easter ceasefire and was ready to extend it if the fighting completely subsided.
“Ukraine will act in a mirror way – what Russia does, we will do the same,” he said.
Mr. Zelensky added a message on the Telegram channel: "If the situation is completely calm, Ukraine is ready to extend the ceasefire after Easter, starting from April 20."
He also said he was waiting to receive a detailed report from Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky, after he contacted unit commanders at the front line.
