Translated with AI
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine in honor of Orthodox Easter. According to the announcement, it will be in effect from 4:00 PM Moscow and Kyiv time on April 11 until the end of April 12.
The publication states that the order to temporarily cease hostilities "in all directions" was issued to Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov. At the same time, troops were instructed to be prepared for possible provocations from the enemy and to suppress any aggressive actions. The text also notes that Russia assumes that Ukraine will follow suit.
Earlier that day, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that no decisions had been made regarding a ceasefire for Easter.
Commenting on the ceasefire announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Kyiv's readiness to take "mirror steps." He added that Ukraine had previously repeatedly proposed a ceasefire during the Easter holidays and would act accordingly.
Zelensky emphasized that people need an Easter free of threats and genuine progress toward peace, adding that Russia has a chance to avoid resuming shelling even after the holidays.
In early April, the Ukrainian leader stated that Kyiv had proposed a ceasefire to Moscow for Easter, but had not received agreement. He also expressed a willingness to discuss an energy truce, but, as Peskov noted, the Russian side did not see these statements as a clearly formulated initiative.
A similar Easter truce was declared in 2025. Then, Vladimir Putin announced a suspension of hostilities from the evening of April 19 to April 21. Volodymyr Zelenskyy supported this initiative and proposed extending it. However, the very next day, the two sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
