Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral 30-hour Easter ceasefire in Ukraine on Saturday, but Kyiv swiftly dismissed the move as disingenuous after Ukrainian air defenses repelled a wave of Russian drone strikes.
Speaking to Russia’s top military commander, Valery Gerasimov, Putin said the truce—set from 15:00 GMT Saturday to 21:00 GMT Sunday—was based on "humanitarian considerations" and urged Ukraine to reciprocate. However, he also ordered Russian forces to respond to any perceived violations.
Minutes after the announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported fresh attacks. "Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin’s true attitude toward Easter and toward human life," he wrote on X. Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation later stated that Russian shelling continued unabated, calling the truce an "information operation."
Skepticism from Kyiv
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba dismissed Putin’s gesture, noting that Russia had rejected a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire in March. "Putin has now made statements about his alleged readiness for a ceasefire—30 hours instead of 30 days," Kuleba said.
Moscow’s Defense Ministry said the ceasefire depended on mutual observance by Kyiv, a condition Ukraine has previously rejected, citing ongoing Russian aggression.
Failed Truce Efforts
Past attempts at holiday ceasefires—including during Easter 2022 and Orthodox Christmas 2023—collapsed due to mutual distrust. If implemented, this would mark Russia’s first declared pause in hostilities since the war began.
Analysts suggest the move may aim to sway global opinion, particularly among Christian audiences, as Western support for Ukraine faces growing political divisions. The announcement followed remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently suggested Washington might disengage from mediation efforts if progress stalls.
Escalation Amid Diplomacy
Despite Putin’s claims of openness to negotiations, Ukraine and Russia continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations. Russian media reported Putin alleging over 100 Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure since March, while Kyiv has documented repeated Russian attacks in recent weeks.
As Easter observances unfold, the truce’s credibility remains in doubt—with Ukraine vowing to judge Moscow by its actions, not its words.
Comments
Post a Comment