Ukraine Calls ‘Easter Truce’

The Ukrainian government said Saturday it would not attack the pro-Russian separatists who have flooded Eastern Ukraine, occupying government buildings in several cities. The government said it would not oppose the separatists during the Easter weekend, but that “more concrete actions” could come next week if they don’t surrender to international peace monitors. The armed separatists, especially in Donetsk and Slovyansk, have refused to budge despite an “anti-terrorism operation” by the Ukrainian government last weekend that seemed to have little effect. The government is short of effective forces to oppose the separatists.