Russia and Ukraine agree to truce for Orthodox Easter
Russia and Ukraine agree to truce for Orthodox Easter
Russia and Ukraine have secured a temporary pause in hostilities for Orthodox Easter, with Vladimir Putin directing Russian troops to halt fire “in all directions” during the weekend. This announcement follows Volodymyr Zelensky’s earlier appeals for a ceasefire, which the Kremlin had overlooked. The truce is set to begin at 16:00 local time on Saturday, 11 April, and last through Easter Sunday. Putin emphasized that Ukraine should “follow the example” of Russia, while ensuring his forces remain prepared to counter “possible enemy provocations” and “aggressive actions.”
Despite the agreement, many Ukrainians remain cautious about its effectiveness. The country’s military has intensified drone strikes on Russian targets, particularly energy infrastructure, in recent days. In Zhytomyr, a woman lost her life when a missile struck near her home, and a bus in Nikopol was hit by a drone, killing several people. Kyiv’s air raid sirens also resumed shortly after the truce was declared, signaling continued uncertainty.
On the other hand, Zelensky expressed hope for a peaceful Easter, stating via X that Ukraine was “ready for symmetrical steps.” He noted, “People need an Easter free from threats and real movement toward peace. Russia has a chance not to return to strikes after Easter as well.” This truce, he suggested, could be a preliminary move toward a broader ceasefire.
Earlier this week, Zelensky had asked the United States to relay a proposal for a holiday truce to Moscow, aiming to create a pause in the conflict. Such a respite would offer relief to soldiers along the extended eastern front, where they face relentless drone attacks. It would also allow civilians to find a brief moment of calm amid ongoing strikes.
Ukraine has consistently advocated for a full and stable ceasefire as the first step toward peace talks, but Russia insists on finalizing the peace deal before agreeing to any pauses. This stance has led Kyiv to accuse Moscow of lacking genuine commitment to ending the war. Despite several rounds of discussions with the U.S. as mediator, the process has stalled since Donald Trump redirected attention to the Middle East.
“People need an Easter free from threats and real movement toward peace,” said Zelensky, highlighting the importance of the temporary pause.
