Russia has rejected Ukraine’s proposal to extend a temporary Easter truce, insisting that the ceasefire will remain limited to the Orthodox Easter holiday period, lasting 32 hours.
The ceasefire was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, covering the period from Saturday afternoon to Sunday night, coinciding with Orthodox Easter celebrations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier proposed a broader extension of the truce, but Moscow dismissed the idea.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov confirmed that the measure is strictly limited to the holiday period and described it as having a “humanitarian character,” while reiterating that Russia seeks not just a ceasefire but a “lasting and sustainable peace.”
Read more about this topic: Putin announces 32-hour Easter ceasefire in Ukraine (with video)
Moscow also repeated its position that any end to the conflict depends on Ukraine accepting Russia’s long-standing demands. Russian officials warned that a longer truce could allow Ukrainian forces to regroup and strengthen their positions on the battlefield.
The ceasefire, which runs from 11 April at 16:00 Moscow time until the end of 12 April, was announced unilaterally by the Kremlin without prior coordination with Ukraine or the United States.
This marks the fourth temporary ceasefire declared since the start of the war in 2022, following previous pauses during Orthodox Christmas, Easter 2025, and Victory Day commemorations.
