Putin orders holiday truce, Zelensky responds with cautious yes

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a temporary ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter weekend, in a rare pause in hostilities amid the protracted war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had ordered his forces to halt military operations “in all directions” beginning 16:00 local time on Saturday through Easter Sunday.

He said the truce was intended to mark the religious holiday and expressed hope that Ukraine would reciprocate.

At the same time, Putin directed Russian troops to remain on high alert, warning they should be prepared to respond to any “provocations” or “aggressive actions” during the ceasefire period.

The announcement came after repeated calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a temporary truce had previously gone unanswered by Moscow. Kyiv had earlier proposed a holiday ceasefire through the United States as a first step toward broader peace efforts.

Responding to Moscow’s declaration, Zelensky signaled Ukraine’s willingness to match Russia’s move. In a statement, he said Kyiv was “ready for symmetrical steps” and emphasized the need for a peaceful observance of the holiday.

“People need an Easter free from threats and real movement toward peace,” Zelensky said, adding that Russia now had an opportunity to extend the ceasefire beyond the holiday period by refraining from renewed strikes.

Despite the cautious optimism, skepticism remains high given the fragile nature of previous ceasefire attempts in the conflict. Both sides have accused each other of violations in past truces, and the latest initiative comes amid continued fighting along the eastern frontlines.

For soldiers entrenched in the conflict zones, where drone attacks and artillery fire have been relentless, even a brief pause in hostilities would offer much-needed relief.