We now know Vladimir Putin’s response to the Ukrainian president’s proposal to extend the Easter truce. “The Russian leader has not issued an order to prolong the Easter ceasefire in Ukraine,” Reuters reported, citing a statement from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The truce is set to remain in effect until midnight (11 p.m. Polish time) from Sunday to Monday.
Shortly after the Kremlin’s announcement, the U.S. State Department stated it would welcome an extension of the Easter ceasefire declared on Saturday by the Russian leader.
The 30-hour truce, which began at 5 p.m. Polish time, was announced by Putin during a meeting at the Kremlin with the Chief of the Russian General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov. Putin justified the decision on “humanitarian grounds.”
On Saturday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the Russian leader’s statement. Posting on the platform X, he said that if the Easter truce truly takes effect, Ukraine proposes it be extended beyond Sunday. He also pointed out that despite the announced ceasefire, Russia continues offensive operations along multiple sections of the front and its artillery keeps shelling Ukrainian positions. “There is no credibility in the words coming out of Moscow,” Zelensky stated.
On Sunday, Zelensky reported that despite Russia’s announcement of a ceasefire, there had been a rise in Russian shelling and drone activity. Between midnight and 4 p.m. local time (3 p.m. Polish time), Russia carried out 46 attacks. According to Zelensky, the Russian army is conducting its most active operations toward the Pokrovsk and Siversk directions in eastern Ukraine. “Either Putin doesn’t fully control his army, or this situation shows that Russia has no real intention of ending the war. They’re only interested in favorable media PR,” the president said.
Before the Kremlin officially stated there would be no extension of the Easter truce, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha confirmed that Ukraine was ready for a full 30-day ceasefire. In a statement on Telegram, the foreign ministry head wrote that Russia’s actions after midnight, on Monday, and throughout the coming week would reveal its true stance toward the U.S. peace efforts and Ukraine’s proposal.