Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a temporary Orthodox Easter ceasefire, suspending hostilities for 32 hours in a limited pause that comes amid continued fighting and stalled diplomatic efforts to end the war.
The Kremlin, the official residence and working office of the President of Russia, announced that the ceasefire will begin at 4:00 pm Moscow time (13:00 GMT) on Saturday and run until midnight on Sunday. The pause is expected to coincide with Easter celebrations observed by Orthodox Christians in both countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the move was intended to allow religious observance, while stressing that Russian forces would remain on alert and respond to any violations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine would observe the ceasefire in line with Russia’s declaration. He said Kyiv had previously proposed similar humanitarian pauses and remains open to reciprocal steps that could reduce civilian suffering and create space for diplomatic engagement.
“Ukraine has repeatedly stated that we are ready for reciprocal steps,” Zelenskyy said, adding that any genuine pause in fighting should pave the way for broader efforts toward peace. He also warned that continued attacks cast doubt on how effectively such temporary arrangements can hold.
Al Jazeera reported that shortly after the announcement, Ukrainian officials reported fresh strikes in parts of the country. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, local authorities said Russian drone and artillery attacks killed at least two people and struck multiple districts. The reports could not be independently verified.
The ceasefire echoes previous short-term truces declared during the conflict, many of which were short-lived and accompanied by accusations from both sides of violations. Despite these temporary pauses, fighting has largely continued across multiple frontlines.
Humanitarian coordination between the two countries has, however, persisted in limited form. Recent exchanges of prisoners and the repatriation of fallen soldiers have continued with the involvement of mediators, including Türkiye, marking one of the few functioning channels of communication between Moscow and Kyiv.
At the diplomatic level, negotiations toward a broader peace settlement remain stalled. Analysts note that while short ceasefires provide brief relief, they have yet to translate into sustained progress toward ending the war.
Ukrainian officials have warned that the coming months could be particularly difficult, citing ongoing military pressure and shifting international attention. Kyiv has also indicated that it expects increased political and diplomatic strain as the conflict drags on.
Despite the Easter truce announcement, both sides continue to accuse each other of undermining stability, underscoring the fragility of temporary pauses in a conflict that shows no clear path to resolution.
