MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 32-hour unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine over the Orthodox Easter weekend. His decree ordered Russian forces to observe the halt in fighting starting at 4 p.m. Saturday and lasting through the end of Sunday.

Statements released in connection with the decree said, "Orders have been issued for this period to cease hostilities in all directions." The statements added that "Troops are to be prepared to counter any possible provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions," and declared, "We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow the example of the Russian Federation."

The declaration followed a call by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a pause in some hostilities to observe Orthodox Easter. Zelenskyy had proposed that each side stop targeting the other's energy infrastructure over the holiday and conveyed the offer through the United States, which has been mediating talks between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv. There was no immediate reaction from Kyiv to Putin's announcement.

Moscow has announced several short, unilateral ceasefires during the course of the war. Putin declared a 30-hour ceasefire in Ukraine last Easter. Both the Russian and Ukrainian sides accused each other of violating that truce.

Wider diplomatic efforts have not yielded results. Russia rejected a 30-day unconditional truce proposed last year by the U.S. and Ukraine, insisting instead on a comprehensive settlement to the conflict. U.S.-led talks between the two sides have made no progress on key issues. Washington's attention has since switched to the Middle East conflict.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has stretched into a fifth year. The Russian and Ukrainian armies remain locked in battle along the roughly 1,250-kilometer front line.