Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a ceasefire lasting 32 hours in Ukraine during the Orthodox Easter weekend. This decision follows a suggestion made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier in the week, advocating for a temporary halt in hostilities to mark the holiday.

The ceasefire is set to commence at 4 PM local time on Saturday and will conclude at the end of Sunday. In a statement released by the Kremlin, President Putin mandated Russian military forces to adhere to this ceasefire.

President Zelenskyy had earlier proposed that both sides refrain from targeting each other’s energy infrastructure during the Easter celebrations. This proposal was communicated through the United States, which has been facilitating discussions between representatives from Russia and Ukraine as the conflict enters its fifth year.

As of now, there has been no immediate response from the Ukrainian government regarding Putin’s announcement. Previous efforts to establish ceasefires have largely been ineffective. For instance, last Easter, Putin declared a 30-hour ceasefire, but both parties accused one another of violating it.

The Kremlin’s announcement specified that military orders have been issued to halt hostilities across all fronts during this timeframe. It also noted that troops should remain on alert for any potential provocations or aggressive actions from the opposing side, expressing the hope that Ukraine would reciprocate Russia’s initiative.

Russia has previously dismissed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire suggested by the US and Ukraine as a pathway to peace, instead advocating for a more comprehensive agreement. While Moscow has announced several short, unilateral ceasefires, substantial progress in US-led negotiations has stalled on critical issues. Meanwhile, Washington’s focus has shifted towards the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to engage along the extensive 1,250-kilometer frontline.