Zelenskyy backs Easter truce, urges Russia to extend beyond holiday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is ready for “symmetrical steps” after Russia announced a two-day Easter ceasefire, calling on Moscow not to resume attacks after the holiday. Orthodox Easter falls on April 12, and Zelenskyy urged a “real movement toward peace” free from threats.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded Friday to Russia’s unilateral Easter ceasefire declaration, stating that Ukraine is prepared to take “symmetrical steps” and will act in line with its own proposal for a holiday pause. In a social media post, Zelenskyy reiterated that Kyiv has repeatedly expressed readiness for reciprocal measures, and he called on Russia to extend the truce beyond the Orthodox Easter period.
Easter Ceasefire Details and Ukrainian Position
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a ceasefire from 4:00 pm local time on April 11 until the end of April 12, citing the Orthodox Christian holiday. The Kremlin expects Ukraine to follow suit. Zelenskyy, however, went further, urging Moscow not to return to strikes after Easter. “People need an Easter free from threats and real movement toward peace, and Russia has a chance not to return to strikes after Easter as well,” he said.
Regional Context and Türkiye’s Role
The brief pause comes as the broader Middle East sees a fragile US‑Iran ceasefire, but the Ukraine war continues to claim lives daily. Türkiye, which has consistently mediated between Russia and Ukraine, welcomed any de‑escalation and called for a lasting humanitarian ceasefire. Ankara has urged both sides to extend the Easter truce into a longer-term cessation of hostilities, warning that even short pauses are meaningless if fighting resumes immediately after the holiday.
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Implementation and Risks
The Russian Defence Ministry and General Staff have been instructed to halt combat operations on all fronts during the specified period, while remaining ready to suppress any Ukrainian provocations. Zelenskyy’s call for “symmetrical steps” suggests Ukraine will match Russia’s pause but will not unilaterally extend it without a reciprocal commitment. Observers note that previous short‑term ceasefires have often been violated within hours, making the coming days a critical test of both sides’ willingness to move toward genuine peace.
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