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.

The same announcement was made last year, but the Russian President "violated it more than 2,000 times," Zelensky said at the time.

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