WATCH LIVE: State Department holds news briefing after U.S. sanctions Iran drone-maker executives
PBS NewsHourMAR 23 2023
Putin's hastily announced ceasefire is part of an information war aimed at discrediting Ukrainians. Ukraine could not be reasonably expected to suddenly meet its terms, and Putin wants to leverage this to make Ukrainians seem unwilling to cooperate.
A hand of Christian mercy was offered to Ukrainians, but this was swiped away. This helps Russians to know who they're dealing with and ensures that future opportunities for deception don't creep in.