Putin Attends Orthodox Easter Mass After Announcing Ceasefire in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an Orthodox Easter Mass in Moscow on Sunday, just hours after announcing a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to mark the religious holiday. The move comes amid ongoing tensions and heavy fighting in parts of eastern Ukraine, where humanitarian concerns have grown in recent weeks.
The Easter service took place at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the largest Orthodox church in Russia. Clad in a dark suit and standing beside top officials of the Russian Orthodox Church, Putin participated in the midnight liturgy led by Patriarch Kirill, a key religious ally of the Kremlin.
Earlier in the day, the Kremlin released a statement confirming a unilateral ceasefire to allow for Easter observances and to provide a window for humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation. "In honor of the Orthodox Easter, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will observe a ceasefire in designated zones from midnight April 20 until the evening of April 21," the statement said.
While the gesture was welcomed by some international observers, Ukrainian officials responded with skepticism, citing past instances where similar ceasefire declarations were short-lived or violated. “We remain cautious and vigilant. Our priority is the safety of our people,” a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense said.
The Orthodox Easter, one of the most important religious holidays in the region, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance in both Russia and Ukraine. Despite the war, many civilians on both sides still gathered in churches to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, praying for peace and the return of loved ones.
Analysts view Putin’s attendance at the Easter mass as both a religious and political gesture, aimed at reinforcing national unity and signaling moral legitimacy to the Russian public during a prolonged and costly conflict.
It remains to be seen whether the ceasefire will hold and if it could serve as a stepping stone toward broader peace negotiations.
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