Vladimir Putin has declared a ceasefire with Ukraine ahead of the Orthodox Easter period, ordering his tropps to stop fighting in “all directions”. The short-term ceasefire will run from 4pm (1pm GMT) on April 11 until the end of the day on April 12, 2026.

The 36-hour ceasefire will fall on the Orthodox Easter. It is understood the announcement came after a call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin. It is understood Zelensky, through the US, suggested that both sides should stop striking energy infrastructures over the holiday.

In a statement, the Kremlin said: “Orders have been issued for this period to cease hostilities in all directions,” adding: “Troops are to be prepared to counter any possible provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions. We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow the example of the Russian Federation.”

It is understood there wasn’t an immediate reaction from Zelensky after the Russian announcement.

The same announcement was made last year, but the Russian President “violated it more than 2,000 times,” Zelensky said at the time. Russia also accused Ukraine of breaking the agreement.

Russia has effectively rejected a 30-day unconditional truce proposed last year by the US and Ukraine as a step towards peace, insisting instead on a comprehensive settlement, but Moscow has announced several short, unilateral ceasefires, The Guardian reported.

Quoted by The Sun, yesterday (Wednesday, April 7) Zelensky said: “I’ve always said that this is where we need to start. But we’ve been told and given signals that no – the war can only be ended once and for all; a ceasefire accomplishes nothing. But I believe it does.

“The example of the Middle East now clearly shows that a ceasefire is possible. The United States has sufficient strength to make this happen. If they were able to secure a ceasefire in the Middle East, then there is enough strength to secure a ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine as well – especially since Ukraine supports it.”