Amid faltering negotiations…a temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier in the week that he had conveyed through the American side a proposal for a truce on the occasion of the holiday, after talks to end the four-year-long conflict faltered due to the war in the Middle East.

Ceasefire. Fire

In a written statement to the Kremlin, it was stated: "By decision of the Supreme Commander (…) and with the advent of the next Orthodox Easter, a ceasefire was decided from 16:00 (13:00 GMT) on the eleventh of April until the end of the twelfth of April 2026.".

Mutual measures

And on Thursday, Zelensky said that his country is ready to respect the ceasefire during Orthodox Easter announced by his Russian counterpart, and recalled that Kiev had proposed a truce for the occasion.

The Ukrainian president said on social media networks: "Ukraine has repeatedly declared its readiness to take reciprocal measures. This year we proposed a ceasefire during Easter celebrations, and we will act accordingly"

Stalled negotiations

Several rounds of US-brokered talks did not succeed in bringing the two sides of the conflict closer together to reach an agreement, in light of additional stumbling as Washington’s focus shifted to Iran.

The negotiations appear to be faltering, as Moscow demands regional and political concessions from Kiev, which Zelensky refuses to provide, considering that they amount to surrender.

The war has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands. Millions of people were displaced, in the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II.