Ceasefire Announced for Orthodox Easter Amid Rising Global Tensions
As Orthodox Christians prepare to celebrate Easter, a ceasefire has been agreed upon by the Russian government, providing a brief respite from ongoing hostilities. The ceasefire aligns with the Orthodox Easter, which is observed a week later than in Western Europe due to the Russian Orthodox Church’s adherence to the Julian Calendar.
Effective from 4pm local time on Saturday, April 11, the truce will extend through the end of Easter Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putin has commanded his forces to halt operations “in all directions”, yet he cautioned that they remain vigilant against any potential “provocations” or “aggressive actions”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his willingness to comply with the ceasefire. In a public statement, Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine is “ready for symmetrical steps”, emphasizing the need for an Easter period devoid of conflict and a genuine move towards peace. He conveyed hope for the ceasefire to extend beyond Easter.
Despite these developments, Russia remains steadfast in its refusal to agree to a lasting ceasefire, citing the necessity for a formal peace agreement first. The geopolitical landscape, notably the renewed conflict in the Middle East, has bolstered Russia’s position. With US resources and attention diverted from Ukraine, and the easing of oil sanctions due to Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz, Russia finds itself in a strategically advantageous position.
This shift in focus may have also contributed to a diminished global sensitivity to Russian military actions. Former US President Donald Trump has similarly framed operations against Iran as “military operations”, avoiding the term “war”.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
