In a recent announcement, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that his forces would honor a surprise Easter truce, as communicated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. This truce is set to last until midnight, even as air-raid sirens echoed throughout Kyiv.
The proposed 30-hour truce represents a significant pause in the ongoing hostilities that have persisted throughout the three-year conflict. However, shortly after the ceasefire was scheduled to begin, air-raid sirens were activated in the Ukrainian capital. President Zelensky accused Russia of continuing its artillery assault and frontline attacks, asserting, “Kursk and Belgorod regions – Putin’s Easter statements did not reach this territory,” referencing two Russian border regions where Ukrainian forces have made noteworthy incursions.
As is the case in such complicated situations, evidence was not provided to back up his claims. Meanwhile, Russian news agency TASS reported multiple explosions in Donetsk, an area that has been under Russian control since 2014. According to local “operative services,” at least three blasts were reported, highlighting the tense environment.
In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine conducted a substantial prisoner exchange just the day before. Both sides announced that over 240 captured fighters were returned to their respective nations. The truce announcement reportedly followed months of diplomatic efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at achieving a ceasefire. Tensions escalated, with the U.S. threatening to withdraw from negotiations if concrete progress wasn’t made.
During a televised meeting, President Putin stated, “Today from 1800 (3 PM Irish time) to midnight Sunday (9 PM Irish time), the Russian side announces an Easter truce.”
In response, President Zelensky expressed Ukraine’s intention to abide by the truce and even proposed extending it beyond Sunday. Yet, he also voiced skepticism, claiming that Russia had previously failed to meet its commitments. “Give peace a chance,” he remarked, advocating for an extension of the ceasefire. He suggested that a 30-day truce could provide a valuable opportunity for peace, despite noting that President Putin had earlier rejected a similar proposal.
As sirens echoed through Kyiv and several other regions, Zelensky reiterated, “Russian assault operations continue in multiple frontline sectors, and artillery fire from Russia has not ceased.” While Putin cited “humanitarian reasons” for the truce, he also indicated that Russian troops must remain prepared for potential violations and provocations.
Zelensky took to social media, stating, “If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly to mirror Russia’s actions.” He further emphasized that a genuine ceasefire could warrant an extension beyond Easter Day on April 20, bringing a note of cautious optimism.
Despite the announcement of the truce, the ongoing fighting and Russian attacks were confirmed by Ukraine’s Chief of Staff. Reports indicated continued artillery fire from Russia, complicating hopes for peace. Soldiers situated in the eastern city of Kramatorsk expressed skepticism regarding the truce, with one soldier, Dmitry, stating, “Mr. Putin might do this to give some hope or to show his humanity, but we don’t trust them.”
Putin argued that the latest truce proposal would reflect Kyiv’s sincerity and willingness to abide by agreements and engage in peace talks. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine commenced in February 2022, and previous attempts to secure ceasefires during Easter in April 2022 and Orthodox Christmas in January 2023 were unsuccessful due to mutual disagreements.
In his address, Zelensky remarked on the cultural significance of Easter, saying, “For millions of Ukrainians, Easter is one of the most important holidays, and they will go to church.” He noted the devastating impact of the conflict, revealing that over 600 places of worship have been destroyed or damaged due to Russian attacks.
Furthermore, both nations confirmed a prisoner swap mediated by the United Arab Emirates, resulting in the return of 246 soldiers from each side. Zelensky stated that the total count of repatriated POWs now stands at 4,552, including 31 wounded Ukrainians and 15 wounded Russians. The UAE’s foreign ministry emphasized its commitment to “finding a peaceful solution” and addressing the humanitarian repercussions of the ongoing conflict.
As hostilities continue, Russia also claimed the reoccupation of the second-to-last village still under Ukrainian control near its Kursk frontier region, an area crucial for future negotiations.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
