RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has announced a 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine over the Orthodox Easter weekend, following an earlier proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling for a limited pause in hostilities during the holiday period.
According to a decree released by the Kremlin, Russian forces have been ordered to observe a cessation of hostilities beginning at 4pm on Saturday and continuing until the end of Sunday.
CBS News cited today that the announcement came after Zelenskyy suggested earlier in the week that both sides suspend strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure over the holiday, an offer he said was conveyed through the United States, which has been facilitating diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Kyiv as the war enters its fifth year.
There was no immediate response from Kyiv to Putin’s ceasefire announcement.
Previous attempts to establish temporary pauses in fighting have had limited success, with both sides repeatedly accusing each other of violations.
Putin last year unilaterally declared a 30-hour Easter truce, which quickly broke down amid mutual allegations of non-compliance.
In its statement, the Kremlin said that “orders have been issued for this period to cease hostilities in all directions,” while also instructing Russian forces to remain prepared for possible provocations.
“Troops are to be prepared to counter any possible provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions,” the statement said.
“We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow the example of the Russian Federation,” it added.
Russia has previously rejected proposals for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire backed by the United States and Ukraine, arguing instead for a broader political settlement.
Despite this, Moscow has at times announced short unilateral pauses in fighting.
US-led diplomatic efforts have so far failed to achieve meaningful breakthroughs on core issues, with Washington’s attention increasingly divided by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Russian and Ukrainian forces remain locked in heavy combat along a front line stretching approximately 800 miles. - April 10, 2026
