Kyiv Skeptical as Putin Announces "Easter Truce" in Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine – Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 30-hour "Easter truce" in Ukraine, ordering a halt to military operations from 6 p.m. local time Saturday, April 19, until midnight on Sunday, April 20. Kyiv officials responded with skepticism, pointing to ongoing Russian attacks and questioning the sincerity of the ceasefire.

The announcement, framed by the Kremlin as being "guided by humanitarian considerations," was met with immediate doubt from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Shortly after the declaration, Zelensky reported that Russian attack drones were detected in Ukrainian airspace.

"As for yet another attempt by Putin to play with people's lives — an air raid alert is sounding across Ukraine right now," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. "At 5:15 p.m., Russian attack drones were spotted in our skies. Ukrainian air defense and aviation are already responding. The presence of Shahed (drones) over our territory shows Putin's true attitude toward Easter and human life."

The proposed truce coincides with Orthodox Easter, a significant religious holiday in both Russia and Ukraine. Putin expressed hope that Ukraine would reciprocate the ceasefire, but also stated that Russian forces should be prepared to respond to any violations.

History of Broken Ceasefires

Ukraine's skepticism stems from a history of broken ceasefire agreements and continued Russian aggression throughout the conflict, which began in 2022. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted Russia's rejection of a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine has supported since March 11.

"Now Putin has made statements about his alleged readiness for a ceasefire. 30 hours instead of 30 days," Sybiha said.

Reports from the front lines indicated that Russian attacks continued even after the announced start of the truce, further fueling doubts about its validity.

International Response and Mediation Efforts

Putin's announcement comes after Washington signaled it was ready to cease its mediation efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine if either side "makes it difficult." Russia refuses to accept a full ceasefire unless it includes concessions that would undermine Kyiv’s ability to defend itself, including a full halt to foreign military aid.

The U.S. has not yet released an official statement regarding the proposed Easter truce.

Claims of Ukrainian Violations

Putin accused Ukraine of violating a moratorium on strikes against Russian energy infrastructure "100 times," without providing evidence. He stated that the reaction to the Easter truce would demonstrate Kyiv's sincerity in pursuing peace negotiations.

Russia has repeatedly accused Ukraine of attacks and provocations since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, often using them as a pretext for escalation.

A Test of Sincerity?

The Kremlin has positioned the Easter truce as a test of Ukraine's willingness to engage in peace talks. However, Ukrainian officials view the announcement with deep suspicion, citing Russia's track record of broken promises and continued military aggression.

"Unfortunately, we have considerable experience when his statements did not coincide with his actions," Zelensky said. "We know that his words cannot be believed, and we will look at actions, not words."

Uncertain Future

The effectiveness of the Easter truce remains uncertain. While the pause in hostilities could provide a brief respite for civilians in war-torn areas, the deep-seated mistrust between the two sides casts a shadow over any potential for lasting peace. The coming days will reveal whether the truce is a genuine attempt to de-escalate the conflict or simply another maneuver in the ongoing war.