The Ukrainian army received an order to observe a 30-hour ceasefire declared under international agreements, but the order was delayed, after the ceasefire officially came into force at 18:00 on April 19, 2025. This was reported by the BBC, citing a source in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). According to the information, the military was ordered not only to refrain from offensive actions until midnight on April 21, but also to carefully document any violations by Russian troops, including photo and video recording. In the event of provocations or attacks, units are allowed to open return fire to defend positions. The delay in transmitting the order caused concern in the Ukrainian command, as it could create risks for coordination at the front.

The ceasefire, timed to coincide with Orthodox Easter, was initiated by Russia, but Ukraine agreed to it with a number of reservations, stressing the need for strict control over Moscow's actions. The BBC source noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces maintain heightened combat readiness. Documenting violations, according to the source, will be a key tool for informing international partners about Russia's compliance or non-compliance with the ceasefire terms.

The decision to call a truce comes as the United States prepares for talks in London next week, where it plans to present a plan to resolve the conflict. According to Reuters, the Trump administration is pushing for an agreement to be reached as soon as possible, and the 30-hour pause is seen as an opportunity to test the parties' willingness to de-escalate. According to The New York Post, Ukraine is 90% supportive of the American plan, but insists on reliable security guarantees, making the truce an important indicator of trust.

The delay in issuing the ceasefire order, according to analysts, may be due to internal difficulties in the Ukrainian command or the need for additional coordination at the political level.