Vladimir Putin Announced Easter Ceasefire 0 10

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ceasefire with Ukraine in connection with Orthodox Easter, which will last from 4:00 PM Moscow and Kyiv time on April 11 until the end of April 12. This was reported on Thursday, April 9, on the Kremlin's website.

The publication states that orders for a temporary halt to hostilities "in all directions" have been given to Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov. "The troops should be ready to thwart possible provocations from the enemy, as well as any of its aggressive actions. We proceed from the assumption that the Ukrainian side will follow the example of the Russian Federation," the text notes.

At the same time, earlier on April 9, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the possibility of a ceasefire at Easter, stated that "as of today, the Supreme Commander has not made any decisions."

Zelensky Proposed a Ceasefire for Easter

In early April, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated that the country "has repeatedly offered Russia to cease fire at least for Easter," however, according to his words, did not receive consent.

Zelensky publicly expressed readiness to discuss an energy ceasefire with Russia during Orthodox Easter on March 30. At that time, Peskov stated that the Russian side "did not see" a "clearly formulated initiative" in the words of the Ukrainian leader.

Easter Ceasefires Were Also Announced in 2025

On the evening of April 19, 2025, a day before Easter, Putin announced a ceasefire and suspension of hostilities in Ukraine - from 6:00 PM Moscow time on April 19 until 12:00 AM Moscow time on April 21. Zelensky agreed to this initiative and proposed to extend its duration.

On Sunday, April 20, Kyiv accused Moscow of violating the ceasefire. The Russian side also reported violations of the ceasefire regime by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.