Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine will respect the Orthodox Easter ceasefire with Russia, hours before the truce is set to begin at 16:00 MSK on 11 April 2026. In a statement posted on 11 April, Zelensky reaffirmed that Kyiv would take “symmetrical steps” if Moscow adheres to its own declared pause in hostilities, underscoring the importance of an Easter marked by reduced violence for civilians on both sides. The move follows a Kremlin announcement on 10 April that Russia has ordered a 32‑hour ceasefire in all directions, effective from 16:00 Moscow time on 11 April until the end of 12 April 2026.
The Russian‑declared ceasefire is framed as an “Easter truce” tied to the Orthodox holiday, with President Vladimir Putin stating that the pause would run from 16:00 MSK on 11 April through the end of 12 April. The Kremlin has said that the Russian military has been instructed to halt combat operations during this period but to remain on high alert for any “possible provocations” or “hostile actions.” In parallel, Ukraine has treated the window as a temporary humanitarian respite rather than a strategic shift, with military officials urging caution and emphasizing that the underlying war‑fighting posture has not changed.
Zelensky’s latest remarks, delivered on the morning of 11 April, reiterate earlier calls for an Easter ceasefire that he had proposed before the Kremlin’s formal announcement. He has urged the population to use the lull in fighting to attend religious services, reunite with family members, and seek safety in relatively calmer areas, while also warning that the broader conflict remains active and can quickly resume after the 32‑hour window. Open‑source reports show that both sides have already suffered casualties and infrastructure damage in the days leading up to the truce, with shelling and missile strikes reported in several frontline regions despite the announced pause.
The Easter ceasefire comes amid stalled Western‑led diplomatic efforts and a broader war‑fatigue dynamic in Europe, with public attention in Kyiv and other capitals focused on the viability of short‑term pauses as a way to build confidence for a more durable ceasefire or eventual negotiated settlement. Ukraine has repeatedly stressed that any continuation of the truce depends on Russia’s behaviour during the Easter window, insisting that any violations would be treated as a reason to revert quickly to full‑scale defensive operations.
Key highlights
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Zelensky says Ukraine will respect the truce.
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Ceasefire starts 16:00 MSK on 11 April.
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Russia announced 32‑hour Easter truce.
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Both sides on high alert for violations.
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Ukraine conditions future restraint on Russian conduct.