In a surprising move, President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral ceasefire for Easter in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The declaration, made during a televised address, was immediately met with skepticism from Ukrainian leaders.

"Today from 18:00 (15:00 GMT) until midnight Sunday (21:00 GMT Sunday), we are instituting an Easter truce," Putin stated, claiming the decision was made on humanitarian grounds. He also urged Ukraine to reciprocate, insisting that their behavior during the ceasefire would reflect their willingness for peace.

However, not all are convinced. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha immediately responded, emphasizing that "Putin's word cannot be trusted," signaling that the focus should instead be on actions rather than promises.

This declaration marks the first time Russia has proposed a truce since the onset of the conflict, but previous ceasefire attempts during past Easter celebrations proved futile.

With tensions remaining high, reports suggest that Russian forces were preparing for potential violations from Ukraine, illustrating a persistent mistrust between the nations. Al Jazeera's correspondent Yulia Shapovalova highlighted that while the truce might be well-received in Russia and abroad, historical context casts doubt on its efficacy.

Adding to the complexity, Putin made accusations against Ukraine for reportedly violating past truces over 100 times, while Ukraine counters with claims of Russian violations. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump recently stated that Washington would not push for a resolution if either side complicates efforts.

Security analyst Hanna Shelest noted that the Kremlin may perceive the current U.S. administration as more amenable to their demands, highlighting a strategic interplay in international relations.

Meanwhile, reactions on the ground in Ukraine reflect widespread cynicism towards Putin’s announcement. Public sentiment suggests that many view the ceasefire as nothing more than a ploy to enhance Russia’s image internationally while buying time with the U.S.

Ukrainian air defense units have been busy, having shot down 33 Russian drones during recent attacks, illustrating the perilous reality amidst political posturing.

On another front, a prisoner exchange took place, wherein both countries swapped 246 prisoners each. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy confirmed the return of 277 Ukrainian service members, expressing gratitude to the UAE for its mediation.

As the ceasefire looms, all eyes will be on the frontline to see whether this latest attempt at peace will yield any tangible results, or if it will succumb to the same fate as previous efforts.