President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia ordered his forces to “cease all army exercise” in opposition to Ukraine from Saturday night via Sunday, declaring an “Easter truce” that appeared geared toward displaying an impatient Trump administration that Moscow was nonetheless open to peace talks.
“We are going to assume that the Ukrainian facet will observe our instance,” Mr. Putin mentioned in a gathering televised on Saturday together with his prime army commander, Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov.
Mr. Putin claimed that Kyiv’s response would make clear Ukraine’s “need, and, certainly, its potential” to participate in negotiations to finish the battle.
The supply appeared designed to do two issues: Attraction to President Trump and put President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine right into a bind. He might reject the truce supply and danger angering Mr. Trump. Or he might take it, and danger letting Russia make the most of a deliberate cessation in hostilities to assemble its forces for a brand new push.
Mr. Zelensky tried to string the needle. He mentioned Ukraine would abide by a truce as long as Russia did. And if Russia stored combating, so would Ukraine.
“If Russia is now abruptly prepared to actually have interaction in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia’s actions,” Mr. Zelensky mentioned in a social-media submit. “Silence in response to silence, defensive strikes in response to assaults.”
