Russia’s Putin declares 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine war for Orthodox Easter

Vladimir Putin’s move follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal earlier this week to observe a pause in attacks (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine over the Orthodox Easter weekend.

Mr Putin’s decree, released by the Kremlin, orders Russian forces to observe a ceasefire starting at 4pm on Saturday and lasting until the end of Sunday.

Mr Putin’s move follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal earlier this week to observe a pause in attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure over the Orthodox Easter.

We have repeatedly offered Russia a ceasefire at least for Easter. But for them, all times are alike and nothing is sacred. If Russia can afford this war, it will not choose peace willingly. Only significant financial losses force Russia to consider a scenario of abandoning this… pic.twitter.com/Os7P9EZZuC

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 6, 2026

He said he made the offer through the United States, which has been mediating talks between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv as the conflict stretches into a fifth year.

Previous attempts to secure ceasefires have had little or no impact.

Mr Putin unilaterally declared a 30-hour ceasefire last Easter, but each side accused the other of breaking it.