April 20, 2025 | 07:41 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of breaching the Easter ceasefire agreement for 30 hours, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin previously announcing a brief truce with Ukraine during the holiday.
Putin had declared that hostilities would pause starting at 06:00 PM Moscow time on Saturday, with the ceasefire reportedly lasting until early Monday morning.
However, not long after the announcement, Ukraine claimed that Russian troops continued their offensives.
"According to the report of the commander-in-chief, Russian assault operations continue in some parts of the front line and Russian artillery continues to fire," Zelensky said in his Saturday evening speech, as quoted by CNN.
Kyiv responded to Moscow's declaration with caution. Zelensky emphasized that Putin had yet to support the U.S.-led initiative for a 30-day ceasefire.
"If Russia is now suddenly ready to actually join the format of complete and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act in a mirror image, as it will on the Russian side. Silence in response to silence, strikes in defense of strikes," said Zelensky. He urged for the Easter truce to be extended to 30 days.
"This will show Russia’s true intentions, because 30 hours is enough for headlines, but not for real confidence-building measures. Thirty days can give peace a chance," he said.
The timing of the ceasefire announcement also prompted scrutiny, as it came only hours after the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its forces had expelled Ukrainian troops from Russia’s Kursk region.
"Unfortunately, we have had a long history of (Putin’s) statements not matching his actions… Russia can agree at any time to the proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which has been on the table since March," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Shortly after making the ceasefire declaration, Putin was seen attending the Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.
He held a lit red candle and made the sign of the cross as the service was led by Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a staunch supporter of both Putin and the war in Ukraine.
Previously, Putin had expressed hope that Ukraine would agree to the truce, stating that the outcome of the ceasefire would reflect Ukraine’s willingness and ability to pursue a peaceful resolution.
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