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Russia Announces Orthodox Easter Ceasefire, Ukraine Skeptical of Truce

Russia has declared a temporary 32-hour ceasefire with Ukraine to observe Orthodox Easter, beginning on the afternoon of April 11. The order was issued by President Vladimir Putin to his top military commanders. The announcement follows a prior proposal for an Easter truce from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been critical of Russia's previous reluctance. Previous holiday ceasefires have broken down rapidly, and broader peace talks mediated by the US remain stalled.

Key Points: Russia Declares 32-Hour Orthodox Easter Ceasefire with Ukraine

  • 32-hour Easter truce announced by Russia
  • Putin orders halt to combat operations
  • Ukraine had previously proposed ceasefire
  • Past holiday ceasefires collapsed quickly
  • Peace talks remain stalled
2 min read

Russia announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire with Ukraine

Russia announces a temporary 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter following a proposal from Ukraine. Previous holiday truces have quickly collapsed.

"We have repeatedly offered Russia a ceasefire at least for Easter. But for them, all times are alike and nothing is sacred. - Volodymyr Zelenskyy"

Moscow, April 10

Russia announced a temporary 32-hour ceasefire with Ukraine on the occasion of Orthodox Easter from April 11 to April 12, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. The ceasefire will begin from 4 pm on Saturday and will last till Sunday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the Minister of Defence Andrey Belousov and the Chief of the General Staff General Valery Gerasimov to halt combat operations in all areas for this period.

"By decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been declared ahead of the Orthodox Easter - from 4:00 p.m. on April 11 until the end of April 12, 2026," added the statement.

"Russian troops are to remain ready to repel any possible provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions on its part. We proceed from the assumption that the Ukrainian side will follow Russia's example," The Ministry said in a statement.

This is not the first time a holiday ceasefire has been declared. Last Easter, Putin called a similar 30-hour pause, and it collapsed almost immediately.

This comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a ceasefire for Easter.

Zelenskyy, addressing a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on March 31, said, "We have proposed a ceasefire for the Easter holidays. We hope that the United States will support this proposition. And we are waiting for a response from Russia. Tomorrow, I will speak with the American team, including on this issue. We hope for results. Results are needed for everyone."

Days later, Zelenskyy criticised Russia for not agreeing to the ceasefire, stating that "nothing is sacred" for them, calling for strong actions to curb Moscow's ability to fight the war.

"We have repeatedly offered Russia a ceasefire at least for Easter. But for them, all times are alike and nothing is sacred. If Russia can afford this war, it will not choose peace willingly. Only significant financial losses force Russia to consider a scenario of abandoning this war," he said.

Ukraine and Russia continue to fight after the US-mediated talks have stalled, with no real headway towards peace. Russia continue to claim the territory it has gained during the conflict, and Zelenskyy remains adamant not to concede the land and push for more assured security arrangements.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's heartbreaking to see war during any holy festival. As Indians, we understand the importance of peace during religious occasions. I hope both sides truly respect this pause and use the time for reflection. 🙏
R
Rohit P
The statement says Russian troops will remain ready to repel "provocations." That doesn't sound like a real ceasefire, does it? It seems more like a PR move. Zelenskyy was right to be skeptical.
S
Sarah B
From a strategic perspective, India has always advocated for dialogue and diplomacy. A temporary halt is welcome, but the stalled US-mediated talks need to be revived. The path to peace is long, but every pause counts.
V
Vikram M
The timing is interesting. Zelenskyy proposed it first, and now Russia announces it. It feels like a game of one-upmanship. The real victims are the common people caught in between. Hope they get some respite this Easter.
K
Karthik V
As an Indian, I respect any effort towards peace. But we've seen this before. A 32-hour ceasefire is a drop in the ocean. What's needed is a permanent solution and respect for sovereignty. The world powers need to do more than just mediate.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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