Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have agreed to a temporary ceasefire in observance of Orthodox Easter. The Kremlin announced that the truce will be in effect from 4:00 PM on April 11 through midnight on April 12.
The announcement echoes a similar 30-hour ceasefire ordered by Moscow last year, though both nations spent the aftermath of that window accusing the other of violations.
Zelensky welcomed the move, noting that Ukraine had proposed an Easter holiday truce and is prepared to take reciprocal steps. This brief pause in hostilities comes at a period of intense friction; Moscow recently threatened military action against Baltic nations that permit Ukraine to use their airspace for drone operations targeting Russian territory.
The ceasefire agreement arrives amid a backdrop of significant military losses, with reports indicating Moscow lost approximately 1,100 troops in a single day of fighting leading up to the announcement.
On the diplomatic front, high-level discussions are currently taking place in the United States. Russia’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, is meeting with members of the Trump administration. These talks are reportedly focused on two main pillars: Formulating a potential peace deal for Ukraine and Exploring future U.S.-Russia economic cooperation.
The ceasefire has been met with skepticism by some international observers. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance recently criticized the nature of the conflict, accusing both Kyiv and Moscow of “haggling over a few square kilometers” while the humanitarian and military toll continues to mount.
While the 32-hour window offers a brief reprieve for civilians celebrating the holiday, military analysts remain cautious about whether the truce will be fully honored on the front lines.