In a surprise announcement early Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a three-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, beginning at 00:00 hours on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, and ending at 23:59 on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The Kremlin stated that the decision aims to create a "window of humanitarian relief and diplomatic reflection" amidst the intensifying conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
The announcement, delivered via a televised address and published on official Kremlin channels, marks the first unilateral ceasefire initiative by Moscow in over a year. President Putin described the move as a "gesture of goodwill" timed to coincide with Orthodox Easter commemorations and the upcoming international diplomatic talks scheduled in Geneva later this week.
"This is a critical moment," Putin said. "Russia is prepared to observe a pause in military operations to allow civilians safe passage, support humanitarian aid efforts, and give diplomacy a chance to prevail."
Ukrainian officials have yet to formally respond to the ceasefire offer, although sources in Kyiv suggest that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government is reviewing the terms carefully. Previous ceasefire declarations in the conflict have often been short-lived or undermined by continued hostilities on the ground.
International reaction was swift. The United Nations welcomed the development as "an opportunity for de-escalation and dialogue," while EU leaders urged all parties to uphold the ceasefire and use the time to re-engage in peace negotiations.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that all front-line units had been instructed to suspend offensive operations and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid during the ceasefire window. However, it warned that "defensive measures will remain in place to protect Russian forces in case of provocation."