President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary cease-fire in the war in Ukraine for Russian Orthodox Easter.
According to AFP and Russia's TASS on the 9th (local time), the Kremlin issued a statement saying, "To mark Easter, a cease-fire will be implemented from 4 p.m. on the 11th until midnight on the 12th." It means hostilities will be halted on all fronts for about 32 hours. This year, Russian Orthodox Easter, unlike Western churches, falls on Apr. 12.
According to the statement, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov were ordered to suspend hostilities on all fronts during the cease-fire and prepare for enemy provocations. The Kremlin added that it expects the Ukrainian side to join this measure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted positively. On social media, he said, "Ukraine has repeatedly said it is ready to take reciprocal steps (toward Russia)," adding, "We will act in line with the cease-fire during the Easter holiday."
However, Russia's "Easter cease-fire" proposal is seen as having little effect. The Associated Press said, "Putin also unilaterally declared a 30-hour cease-fire for Easter last year, but both Russia and Ukraine accused the other side of violating it."