Will Easter Bring Peace? Putin and Zelensky Agree on Temporary Ceasefire

In a notable move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a ceasefire for Orthodox Easter, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated Ukraine is willing to support. The ceasefire will take effect from April 11 to April 12, allowing both sides a brief respite amid ongoing conflict. Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's readiness for reciprocal actions, hoping for a peaceful Easter free from threats. However, the backdrop of stalled peace negotiations raises questions about the potential for lasting resolution. As both leaders navigate this complex situation, the world watches closely to see if this ceasefire could pave the way for meaningful dialogue and peace.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 10, 2026, 16:09 IST

Ceasefire Announcement Ahead of Orthodox Easter

Moscow: In a significant development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a ceasefire coinciding with Orthodox Easter, a move that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated Ukraine is prepared to support.

As reported by Russian news agency Tass, the ceasefire is set to commence at 4 PM Moscow time on April 11 and will last until the end of April 12.

The official statement from the Kremlin specifies, "By order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been established for Orthodox Easter, from 4:00 PM [Moscow time, 1:00 PM GMT] on April 11 until the conclusion of April 12, 2026 [9:00 PM GMT]."

During this ceasefire period, Russian forces are instructed to halt all combat activities across all fronts, although they must remain vigilant to counter any potential attacks.

The directive further states, "Minister of Defence Andrey Belousov and Chief of the General Staff, Army General Valery Gerasimov, have been tasked with ceasing combat operations during this timeframe. Russian troops are to be prepared to respond to any provocations or aggressive actions from the enemy."

In response, Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine had previously suggested a ceasefire for the Easter period and is committed to following through.

"Ukraine has consistently expressed our readiness for reciprocal actions. We proposed a ceasefire during this year's Easter holidays and will proceed accordingly. It is essential for people to experience an Easter free from threats and to see genuine progress towards peace. Russia has an opportunity to refrain from resuming strikes post-Easter as well," Zelensky shared on X.

This ceasefire announcement comes amid stalled negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

On April 3, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that for military actions to cease, Ukraine must withdraw from the Donbass region.

When questioned about claims that Russia had imposed a deadline for the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces, he denied such assertions, stating, "There are no deadlines; that is not true."

Peskov emphasized, "We have repeatedly stated that to halt the active phase of the special military operation, Ukraine must withdraw its troops from Donbass. This action is necessary," as quoted by Tass.

He further remarked that the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass would facilitate a transition towards a political and diplomatic resolution of the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.

Peskov concluded, "For this to happen, [Vladimir] Zelensky must assume political responsibility and make the appropriate decision. However, there are no deadlines; this should have been done yesterday, or ideally, it should be done today."