Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, ordering his troops to end hostilities at 6 p.m. Moscow time from Saturday to Sunday.

Putin told his military chief Valery Gerasimov at a meeting in the Kremlin, Valery Gerasimov, to his military chief Valery Gerasimov at a meeting in the Kremlin, to his military chief Valery Gerasimov, to his military chief Valery Gerasimov at a meeting in the Kremlin, “Based on humanitarian considerations…Russia announced an Easter truce.

Putin added: “We assume that Ukraine will follow our example. At the same time, our troops should be prepared to repel any active actions that may violate the armistice and provocation of the enemy.”

He said Gerasimov told him that Ukraine “over 100 times … violated the agreement on not combating energy infrastructure”.

Russia gave up a moratorium on Friday as both sides accused the other of failing to reach any formal agreement, violating Ukraine’s energy targets.

Putin said the latest armistice proposal would show “how sincere the preparation of the Kiev regime, eager to observe and observe the agreement and participate in the process of peace negotiations.”

Both sides failed to agree to them after a previous attempt at Easter ceasefire in April 2022 and an Orthodox Christmas in January 2023.