Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine for the Orthodox Easter weekend, beginning Saturday at 4 p.m. and lasting until the end of Sunday. The decree, released by the Kremlin, orders Russian forces to cease hostilities in all directions.
The announcement followed a call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a pause in fighting to observe the holiday. Zelenskyy had previously proposed a temporary truce for over a week, and signaled Kyiv’s openness to an Easter truce. He initially offered the pause through the United States, which has been mediating talks.
Russia has largely rejected broader ceasefire proposals, instead opting for short, unilateral pauses while seeking a comprehensive settlement. A similar 30-hour ceasefire declared by Putin last Easter saw accusations of violations from both sides. The Kremlin expects Ukraine to follow its example and stated troops will be prepared for potential provocations.