Russian leader declares temporary truce with Ukraine for Orthodox Easter holiday

Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, has initiated a temporary halt in fighting with Ukraine, coinciding with the Orthodox Easter celebrations, according to a statement from the Kremlin on Thursday, following a similar proposal from Kyiv to pause hostilities.

n

This development comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed earlier in the week that he had submitted a proposal for a holiday truce through the US, as efforts to resolve the four-year conflict were disrupted by the Middle East war.

n

A statement from the Kremlin announced that Putin has declared a ceasefire from 16:00 on 11 April until the end of the day on 12 April 2026, citing the upcoming Orthodox Easter festivities.

n

The Kremlin's statement also noted that the General Staff has been instructed to suspend combat operations in all areas during this period, while remaining prepared to respond to any potential provocations from the enemy.

n

The Russian government expressed its assumption that Ukraine would follow Russia's example in observing the ceasefire.

n

Previous rounds of US-led negotiations have failed to yield an agreement, with the conflict stagnating further as Washington's focus shifted to Iran.

n

The negotiations have reached an impasse, with Moscow insisting on territorial and political concessions from Kyiv, which Zelensky has rejected as equivalent to surrender.

n

The ongoing war has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and the displacement of millions, making it the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.