Turkish diplomat says easter ceasefire in Ukraine could open door to dialogue: Report

A diplomatic source in Ankara reportedly stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for an Easter ceasefire in Ukraine could provide a crucial opportunity for launching peace negotiations between the warring sides.

“If the parties use the ceasefire to initiate peace talks, it could be a step toward de-escalation of the conflict and progress toward a sustainable settlement. The success of the ceasefire could support dialogue and the end of hostilities. This is a major chance,” the Turkish diplomat told Russian media outlet RIA Novosti.

Ceasefire declared for Orthodox easter weekend

Russian President Putin announced on April 20 that a temporary ceasefire would be in effect from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 until 00:00 on April 21.

“Today from 1800 (6 p.m. MSK) to 0000 (12 a.m. MSK) Sunday to Monday, the Russian side announces an Easter truce,” said Putin. “I order all combat operations to be halted during this period.”

He said Russia would suspend all military operations during this period and expected Ukraine to do the same. However, he emphasized that Russian troops must be ready to respond to any violations or provocations.

“They must be prepared to repel any provocation from the enemy, any aggressive actions,” Putin said during the meeting with Gerasimov.

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of breaking truce

Russia and Ukraine on Sunday exchanged accusations over violations of the Easter ceasefire declared by the Kremlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces continued their shelling and assaults after the truce began.

A report by Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi as of 4:00 p.m. on Easter Day:

Unfortunately, the trend of increasing the use of heavy weaponry by Russian forces continues. From the beginning of the day until 4:00 p.m., there have been a total of 46 Russian assaults across various…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2025

Russia’s defense ministry said it repelled several attacks by Ukrainian forces in Donetsk and claimed Ukraine launched drone and artillery strikes targeting Russian regions including Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk, as well as annexed Crimea.

In Belgorod, three civilians — a woman and two children — were reportedly injured by a drone attack, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. In the Russian-controlled city of Gorlovka, two civilians were also reported wounded, according to mayor Ivan Prikhodko.

Zelensky said Sunday that Ukrainian forces recorded hundreds of Russian attacks, drone launches, and that Ukrainian forces would respond in kind.

The Ukrainian army is acting – and will continue to act – in a fully symmetrical manner. This Easter has clearly demonstrated that the only source of this war, and the reason it drags on, is Russia.

We are ready to move toward peace and a full, unconditional, and honest ceasefire that could last for at least 30 days – but there has been no response from Russia on that so far.

The situation on the frontline shows that pressure on Moscow and real oversight of the actions of the occupying forces are needed for the ceasefire to be established.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy proposes extending truce

Putin had initially dismissed a proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, but Zelenskyy suggested extending the 30-hour Easter truce, stating, “give peace a chance.”

As of Sunday, Ukraine had not received a response from Russia regarding the extension.

We thank all the media, podcasters, bloggers, and everyone sharing the truth about what is happening. Instead of broadcasting religious service from Moscow, the focus should be on pressuring Moscow to genuinely commit to a full ceasefire and to maintain it for at least 30 days after Easter – to give diplomacy a real chance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Previous ceasefire attempts during Orthodox Easter in 2022 and Christmas in 2023 failed to take hold.