RUSSIA PERSPECTIVE

Moscow orchestrates the Easter truce narrative through three TASS articles building a three-part story. First: Putin declares the ceasefire, a good-faith gesture from the commander-in-chief. Second: Zelensky 'says he is ready to mirror' Putin's announcement — the verb choice places Ukraine in follower, not initiator position. Third, most revealing: Kremlin spokesman Peskov specifies the truce 'was not discussed in advance with Ukraine or the United States.' This detail is presented as proof of sovereignty — Putin needs no permission — but it reveals the truce as communication tactic, not negotiation step. Russia constructs the image of a leader making peace when he chooses, while Westerners and Kyiv merely react. Mobilizing Orthodox Easter — a holiday shared by both peoples — adds identity dimension: Putin positions himself as protector of Orthodox civilization.