Putin declares Easter truce, halts Russian offensive in Ukraine till Apr 20

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President Vladimir Putin on Apr 19 ordered a unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine and ordered Russian forces to end hostilities 8.30 pm (IST) on Apr 19 until the end of Apr 20.

The Russian president said he hoped that Ukraine would follow Russia's example. 

However, he instructed Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia's general staff, to keep Russian troops on standby to repel any violations of the truce by Kyiv.