Will Russia be able to strengthen its positions during these days?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire during the Easter holidays. He also discussed whether Russia could strengthen its positions during this pause.
As reported by RBC-Ukraine, Zelensky made this statement in comments to journalists.
Also read: “Ukraine has never had this”: Zelensky on agreements with Middle Eastern countries
“We have supported any formats for ending the war, as you know, but when you do not lose the dignity and independence of our state, and a ceasefire, any formats, as we have already discussed today, both full and energy-related, and we are ready for a ceasefire during the Easter holidays,” the president emphasized.
The head of state added that “normal people who respect life” talk about a ceasefire and an end to the war forever, not just for a few days.
“But, of course, we are ready for any compromises. Except for compromises with our, as I said, dignity and sovereignty. As for strengthening Russia’s position in such 2-3 days, they will not be able to strengthen anything in 2-3 days. We remember what they promised in 3 days and what they failed to do,” Zelensky noted.
When is Easter celebrated in 2026
The date of Easter celebration is movable and is calculated annually using a special methodology (paschalion), taking into account the day of the spring equinox and the first full moon after it.
Due to the use of different calendar systems, the dates for Orthodox and Catholic Easter often do not coincide. In 2026, Roman Catholics and most Protestant communities will celebrate Easter on April 5.
At the same time, Orthodox believers will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 12.
Energy truce
Recall that on January 29, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he asked Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to temporarily cease shelling Ukrainian energy facilities due to severe frosts.
The proposed “energy truce” was supposed to last one week. At the same time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow agreed to cease strikes only until February 1.
The “energy truce” began on January 30, but already on the night of February 3, Russians launched massive strikes on energy facilities in several regions of Ukraine. As a result of the heavy shelling, a large number of Ukrainians were left without heating.
In response, Zelensky noted that Russia violated the so-called “energy truce” and waited for the coldest days of this winter to launch its attacks.
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that the head of the President’s Office, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that Ukraine and Russia could conduct a large prisoner exchange during Easter. According to him, everything necessary will be done to carry out such an exchange.
It is worth noting that on the eve of Easter in 2025, the Russian dictator announced a so-called “Easter truce,” which was supposed to last just over a day, but fighting did not completely cease.
According to Volodymyr Zelensky, during the duration of last year’s “Easter truce,” Russia violated it 2,935 times.
