Putin declares Easter cease-fire in Ukraine

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for an Easter cease-fire in his invasion of Ukraine.
• A statement said Russian military operations would cease from 6 p.m. Moscow time Saturday to midnight. Monday.
• Zelenskyy said Ukraine "will act accordingly" if Russia is "ready to truly engage."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared an Easter cease-fire in his invasion of Ukraine.

During a meeting at the Kremlin, Putin called for his forces to cease all military operations from 6 p.m. Moscow time Saturday to midnight Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a post on Telegram.

"Guided by humanitarian motives, the Russian side announces an Easter cease-fire from 06:00 p.m. today to 00:00 a.m. Monday. I hereby order all military operations ceased for this period," the statement reads.

It added that Moscow expected Ukraine to follow its example but that Russian forces should be "prepared to repel possible cease-fire violations and provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive acts on their part."

In a post on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said air raid alerts were "spreading across Ukraine."

"Ukrainian air defense and aviation have already begun working to protect us. Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin's true attitude toward Easter and toward human life," he wrote.

Zelenskyy said later on Saturday that Ukraine would "act accordingly" if Russia chooses to engage with his country.

"The corresponding proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day cease-fire has gone unanswered by Russia for 39 days," Zelenskyy said. "The United States made this proposal, Ukraine responded positively, but Russia ignored it."

"If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia's actions," he continued. "If a complete cease-fire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond the Easter day of April 20. Thirty days could give peace a chance."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.