Russia and Ukraine agree to truce for Orthodox Easter
Russia and Ukraine agree to truce for Orthodox Easter
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a pause in hostilities across all fronts for the Orthodox Easter holiday, citing a directive to halt military operations “in every direction” during the weekend. This decision followed persistent appeals from Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, whose earlier calls for a ceasefire were met with little response from Moscow. The truce, effective from 16:00 local time on Saturday, April 11, through Easter Sunday, comes with a conditional note: Putin anticipates Ukraine will “emulate Russia’s example” in the effort to stabilize the conflict.
Despite the temporary calm, Ukrainian forces are prepared to respond to any Russian actions. Zelensky emphasized this readiness on X, stating,
“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.”
The ceasefire is intended as a step toward broader negotiations, though Kyiv has repeatedly advocated for a comprehensive and lasting agreement as the foundation for peace talks.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to impact civilians. In Nikopol, a drone strike killed several individuals on a bus, while a missile attack in Zhytomyr claimed a woman’s life near her home. Air raid sirens have become a routine backdrop to daily life, particularly in eastern Ukraine, where troops face relentless drone assaults. The truce’s success remains uncertain, as past pauses—such as the claimed “energy truce” last winter and the May ceasefire for Soviet victory commemorations—were short-lived and followed by renewed attacks.
Russian forces are also intensifying their own drone campaigns against Ukraine’s infrastructure, targeting energy facilities with precision. The U.S. has mediated several rounds of negotiations, but the process has stalled since Donald Trump redirected his attention to the Middle East. Ukraine’s demand for a full ceasefire before discussions on a peace deal has led to accusations that Moscow is hesitant to commit to a lasting resolution.