Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine during the Orthodox Easter holiday, with Ukraine confirming it will adhere to the truce.
The Kremlin said the 32-hour ceasefire will take effect on Saturday at 1300 GMT and remain in place until late Sunday. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has ordered a halt to military operations across all directions during the period, while instructing forces to remain prepared for any potential violations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv would act in accordance with the announcement, noting that Ukraine had previously proposed a similar ceasefire during Easter. He reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to take reciprocal steps aimed at reducing hostilities.
The development comes as US-led diplomatic efforts to reach a broader settlement in the nearly four-year war have stalled, amid rising global tensions, including in Iran and the Middle East.
The announcement follows a similar short-term ceasefire declared last year, which saw both sides accuse each other of violations.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the ceasefire proposal was not coordinated with the United States and is not tied to any renewed negotiation framework.
At the same time, Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev is visiting the United States for discussions with officials from President Donald Trump’s administration on potential peace efforts and economic cooperation.
Orthodox Easter falls on April 12 this year in both Russia and Ukraine, giving the ceasefire symbolic significance, though its implementation remains uncertain.
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