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Vladimir Putin ordered a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine this Thursday in observance of Orthodox Easter, effective from 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, until the end of Sunday, April 12, 2026, the date on which the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the resurrection of Christ according to the Julian calendar.
The announcement was released by the Russian Embassy in the United States, which reported that Putin, in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, instructed Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to halt combat operations on all fronts during that period.
Moscow clarified that its troops will remain ready to repel any possible provocation from the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions on their part. It is noteworthy that it was Kiev that first proposed a truce for these dates, weeks before the Russian announcement.
The diplomatic context adds significance to the gesture: Dmitriev was in Washington this Friday meeting with envoys from President Donald Trump, amid intense peace negotiations.
In addition, the deadline on Saturday, April 11, for a 30-day sanctions exemption adds to the pressure on negotiations.
This is not the first time that Putin has resorted to such gestures on religious occasions. Last year, he also declared a unilateral ceasefire of approximately thirty hours in honor of Orthodox Easter.
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources indicate that a trilateral meeting between negotiators from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia could take place in the coming days, which could mark a turning point in the conflict.
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