Russia's Putin announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire, expects Ukraine to do the same

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting on the situation in Dagestan, which was hit by severe flooding, via video link at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia April 7, 2026. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS

April 9 (Reuters) - ⁠Russian President ⁠Vladimir Putin on Thursday ‌announced a ceasefire over a two-day period for ​Orthodox Easter and ⁠expected the ⁠Ukrainian side to do ⁠the ‌same, the Kremlin said.

"In ⁠connection with the approaching ​holiday ‌of Orthodox Easter, a ⁠ceasefire ​is declared from 1600 on 11th ⁠April to the ​end of the day of 12th April," the ⁠Kremlin announcement said.

"We proceed on the basis that the ​Ukrainian side ⁠will follow the example ​of the ‌Russian Federation."

(Reporting ​by Reuters; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)