Zelenskyy: Ukraine will support Easter truce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in response to the Kremlin's announcement of an Easter truce, stated that Kyiv is ready for "mirror steps," recalling that Kyiv had already proposed a ceasefire for the Easter period.

"Ukraine has repeatedly stated that we are ready for mirror steps. We proposed a ceasefire during the Easter holidays this year and will act accordingly," Zelenskyy noted. "People need an Easter without threats and a real movement toward peace, and Russia has a chance not to resume shelling even after Easter."

Earlier that day, a message was published on the Kremlin's website stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a truce in the war against Ukraine in connection with Easter, from 16:00 Moscow and Kyiv time on April 11 until the end of April 12.

At the beginning of April, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had "repeatedly proposed to Russia to cease fire at least for Easter," but, as his words implied, had not received agreement. The Ukrainian president also spoke on March 30 about Kyiv's readiness to discuss an energy truce with Russia during the Orthodox Easter. At that time, Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian side "did not see" a "clearly formulated initiative" in his words.

A year earlier, Vladimir Putin announced a truce and suspension of hostilities in Ukraine the day before Easter, on the evening of April 19, 2025. Zelenskyy agreed with this initiative and proposed that Russia extend its duration. However, the very next day, Kyiv and Moscow accused each other of violating the ceasefire regime.

Source: DW