Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected Russia’s announcement of an Easter ceasefire, accusing Moscow of continuing its military aggression despite the truce. Zelenskyy’s criticism highlights the ongoing strain in the peace efforts between the two nations as Russia’s actions appear to contradict its stated intent for a temporary pause in hostilities.
On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a temporary halt to military operations in Ukraine, starting at 18:00 Moscow time on Saturday and lasting until midnight on Sunday, ostensibly to observe the Easter holiday. Zelenskyy, however, wasted no time in pointing out that Russia had failed to honour the ceasefire.
In a scathing response, Zelenskyy reported that within the first six hours of the truce, Russian forces launched 387 shellings, conducted 19 assaults, and used drones 290 times. No casualties were reported during this initial period of the so-called ceasefire, but the continued attacks underscored Zelenskyy’s point that Russia was not genuinely committed to peace.
“Russia has shown no real intent to stop its aggression,” Zelenskyy said. “This is not a truce, it is merely a show.” He added that while Ukraine had agreed to adhere to the truce, Russia’s persistent actions were a clear sign that peace was not on the horizon.
Putin’s ceasefire was announced only minutes before it was supposed to take effect, which immediately raised questions about its sincerity and practicality. Experts believe that such a sudden declaration was unlikely to result in a full, immediate pause in fighting. While the situation on the frontlines did quiet down, Zelenskyy’s government reported ongoing attacks, including the use of drones and missile launches from Russian ships in the Black Sea.
In southern Ukraine, the situation remained tense despite the temporary break in fighting. In Odesa, for example, while there was no immediate military activity on the ground, air defense systems continued to operate in anticipation of Russian drone attacks.
Zelenskyy criticized Putin’s timing and handling of the ceasefire, noting that a serious effort for peace would have required more preparation and transparency. “The idea of a truce should not just be about a few hours or a symbolic gesture,” Zelenskyy stated. “It must be based on a genuine will to end the violence. Russia’s actions have demonstrated they are not ready for peace.”
The Russian ceasefire, like many others before it, came with conditions. According to Putin’s instructions, Russian forces were expected to halt all military activities during the designated period, but only if Ukraine did the same. Moscow warned that if Ukraine violated the truce, Russian forces would be prepared to respond.
Zelenskyy, however, rejected the terms of the ceasefire. He stated that Ukraine would mirror any Russian actions, meaning that if Russia ceased hostilities, Ukraine would also stop military actions. Zelenskyy pointed out that if Moscow truly wanted peace, it should commit to an unconditional and full ceasefire, not a temporary and incomplete one.
“We are ready for peace,” Zelenskyy said. “But Russia must first prove it is serious by stopping its military actions entirely.”
This Easter ceasefire is not the first time Russia has announced a break in hostilities. In January 2023, a similar ceasefire was proposed for Orthodox Christmas, but it fell apart after both sides accused each other of violating the terms. This history of failed ceasefires has led many to believe that Russia is not genuinely interested in ending the war but rather using pauses in fighting as a way to regroup, resupply, and reorganize its forces.
The lack of trust between Russia and Ukraine has only deepened in the wake of these failed truces. While Zelenskyy has offered proposals for full ceasefires in the past, including a 30-day truce, he has emphasized that any ceasefire must be unconditional and not used as a tactical maneuver by Moscow.
In response to the ongoing aggression, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would continue to defend itself against Russian advances, “No matter the ceasefire or the circumstances, our warriors will respond appropriately to any aggression.”
The United States, which has played a key role in supporting Ukraine throughout the war, has been actively involved in discussions with Russia. However, diplomatic efforts have had little success. Moscow recently rejected a proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire from the US and Ukraine, and President Biden’s administration has been vocal about the difficulty of reaching any meaningful peace talks.
The US has been clear that it will not broker talks for peace unless there is substantial progress. US President Joe Biden has warned that the United States may stop pursuing negotiations if a resolution is not reached quickly. “We need to determine within a few days if peace is even possible,” Biden said.
Meanwhile, critics of the Russian truce have pointed to the country’s inability to genuinely stop military actions as a key reason why any peace efforts will fail. The UK Foreign Office echoed this sentiment, calling on Russia to show its seriousness about peace by fully halting its invasion of Ukraine.
With no real peace agreement in sight, the situation remains dire for both Ukraine and Russia. As the war continues, both sides have suffered significant casualties, with the number of dead and injured from all sides estimated in the hundreds of thousands. The international community has expressed concern about the ongoing violence and the lack of effective dialogue between the two nations.
For now, the truce announced by Putin has only served to highlight the deep divide between the two sides. Zelenskyy’s firm stance on the need for a real and unconditional ceasefire stands in stark contrast to Putin’s limited and conditional offer, which many see as a political maneuver rather than a genuine effort at peace.
The path to peace remains unclear, but for now, Zelenskyy’s government is focused on defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and continuing to push for a more comprehensive and lasting ceasefire agreement. As both sides dig in, the prospect of a long and drawn-out conflict remains a reality for Ukraine, Russia, and the global community.
