Putin declares Easter ceasefire in Ukraine as hundreds of prisoners are exchanged

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, citing humanitarian reasons, during a Kremlin meeting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, citing humanitarian reasons, during a Kremlin meeting.

The ceasefire will last from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday until midnight Sunday, coinciding with Easter celebrations, according to the Kremlin.

“We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow our example. At the same time, our troops must be ready to repel possible violations of the truce and provocations from the enemy, any of its aggressive actions,” Putin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on April 1, 2025.Sergei Ilyin / AFP - Getty ImagesRussia’s Ministry of Defense said afterward that 246 Russian soldiers were also returned from Ukraine to Russia in exchange for 246 Ukrainian prisoners of war, describing the swap “as a result of negotiations.”

"As a gesture of goodwill, 31 wounded prisoners of war were handed over in exchange for 15 wounded Russian servicemen requiring urgent medical care," read the statement.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/vladimir-putin-easter-ceasefire-ukraine-rcna201974

---