Moscow has declared its Easter truce a humanitarian gesture, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, noting the holiday’s significance for both Russian and Ukrainian communities. However, Russia clarified that this pause in hostilities does not constitute a replacement for lasting peace with Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin ordered an immediate cessation of military operations from Saturday afternoon through Sunday. “We seek not a ceasefire but a lasting, sustainable peace,” Peskov told reporters on Friday. “This peace could be realized today if Ukrainian President Zelensky takes responsibility and implements the necessary decisions,” he added, referencing Moscow’s repeated demands for Ukraine to withdraw forces from Russia’s Donbass region.
The Kremlin emphasized its expectation that Ukrainian leadership would align with Russian actions during the truce period. In response, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated his government is “ready for mirror steps” and will observe the ceasefire but called for a prolonged truce extending beyond Easter.
Russian Defense Ministry reports indicate Ukraine has violated the pause more than 3,900 times since last year, including during this year’s Easter agreement. This pattern follows previous unilateral truces observed by Russia in January and April of 2023 under Orthodox Church initiatives, which saw fewer violations.
Trilateral peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States remain suspended due to ongoing conflicts, with Moscow insisting any resolution must address core issues such as Ukrainian neutrality and recognition of Donbass republics as part of Russia. Zelensky’s push for an extended truce has been condemned by Russian authorities as a rejection of ceasefire commitments, while Ukrainian military leadership decisions have been criticized for repeatedly undermining the agreed pause through documented violations.
