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Putin Declares 32-Hour Ceasefire in Ukraine for Easter

4/12/2026

43 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine for Orthodox Easter, from 4 p.m. April 11 to midnight April 12.
The move follows Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s earlier proposal for a truce that Russia had dismissed.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to reciprocate and that Easter should be free of threats.
Skepticism remains after Russian drone strikes in Odesa hours before the ceasefire, which killed at least two people.

History

Historical Context

Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 intensified tensions with Ukraine, leading to widespread international condemnation, including a UN vote where 100 countries opposed the action. In June 2024, a peace summit in Switzerland aimed to address ongoing conflicts, with President Putin proposing a ceasefire contingent on Ukraine's territorial concessions, reflecting the fragile state of peace negotiations amid continued violence.

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Story summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine for Orthodox Easter, from 4 p.m. April 11 to midnight April 12.
The move follows Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s earlier proposal for a truce that Russia had dismissed.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to reciprocate and that Easter should be free of threats.
Skepticism remains after Russian drone strikes in Odesa hours before the ceasefire, which killed at least two people.

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