"Let the hour of evil end and the day of life and peace come". This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in his Easter greeting, published on his Telegram channel.
The Ukrainian leader said that throughout all 1,152 days since the beginning of the conflict, he expects "life to triumph". He emphasized that Ukrainians are especially united in this now, when representatives of all Christian denominations celebrate Easter on the same date and pray together for Ukraine.
"Let the hour of evil end. The day of life will come. The day of peace. The day of Ukraine. A day as long as a century. And let us gather again. At one table. On a peaceful Easter. May all this come true. May God help us with this. Let there be peace. Let there be Ukraine“, he concluded.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated the citizens of the country on the holiday of Easter, and his statement was published on the official Kremlin website.
“I heartily congratulate Orthodox Christians, all citizens of Russia, celebrating the Bright Resurrection of Christ“, the text of the congratulation says.
The Russian President noted that the holiday of Easter gives everyone love, hope and faith in goodness and justice. In addition, the Russian Orthodox Church today plays an important role in strengthening social harmony and mutual understanding between people, Vladimir Putin added.
Earlier, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill congratulated Russian citizens on the Bright Resurrection of Christ. He held a festive service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, attended by Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
On April 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally declared an Easter truce. According to the Russian leader, the decision was made for humanitarian reasons.