Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a 32-hour ceasefire in the conflict with Ukraine to mark Orthodox Easter, with the pause in hostilities set to run from Saturday afternoon until the end of Sunday.
According to Russian state agency RIA Novosti, Putin ordered Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to halt military operations during the holiday period.
“In view of the approaching Orthodox Easter holiday (the Resurrection of Christ), a ceasefire has been declared from 4:00 p.m. on April 11 until the end of April 12,” the Kremlin said in a statement. The temporary truce mirrors a similar measure announced last year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded by confirming that Kyiv will respect the ceasefire and challenged Moscow to extend it beyond the Easter period.
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“People need an Easter free from threats and a real movement toward peace, and Russia has the opportunity not to return to attacks after Easter as well,” Zelensky wrote on social media platform X following the Kremlin’s announcement.
He added that Ukraine has repeatedly stated its readiness for reciprocal steps and had already proposed a ceasefire during this year’s Easter celebrations. “We proposed a ceasefire during Easter this year and will act accordingly,” Zelensky said.
