CNN: This is the real strategy behind Russia's sudden ceasefire announcement

The timing of the ceasefire announcement, its sudden, unilateral nature and timing – if Ukraine’s allies needed further evidence of Russia’s cynical approach to peace, the announcement of the current Easter ceasefire gave them just that, writes CNN in an analysis.

The ceasefire was announced just hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his boss, President Donald Trump, said they urgently needed a sign in the coming days that the Kremlin was serious about peace.

To Russian supporters, President Vladimir Putin's announcement may have seemed like a sign of goodwill toward Trump, but the announcement itself has so many practical flaws that it is almost certainly an attempt to support Putin's false thesis that Kiev does not want to stop the war.

It would be logistical chaos for Ukrainian forces if they had to suddenly stop fighting on Putin's orders, the Telegraph reports.

Some frontline positions may be in the midst of heavy fighting when the order comes, and this type of stoppage requires days of preparation and coordination.

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Of course there will be misinformation that will confuse soldiers – how to implement the ceasefire, how to report or respond to violations, and even what to do when it ends.

It is possible that this moment will be a rare demonstration that both sides can temporarily suspend violence.

But it is much more likely that both sides will use the violations and confusion to show that the other is not to be trusted.

Otherwise, a true ceasefire requires negotiations with the adversary and preparations to be truly implemented.

This sudden rush seems like a move designed solely to satisfy the White House's demand for some sign that Russia is ready to stop the war.

The ceasefire is likely to contribute to Trump's occasionally pro-Moscow interpretation of the conflict.

It could also create problems for Ukraine if, as is possible, it is later accused of violating what Washington might see as a gesture of Russian goodwill.

So this brief interruption is likely to hurt the role of diplomacy more than help it in the coming months. /Telegraph/