Putin announced an Easter truce in the war with Ukraine. It will not last long

Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced on Saturday that at 18 (17 in Poland) in the war with Ukraine, an Easter truce will come into force – the Kremlin on a telegram. The suspension of the fighting is to last until midnight (23 in Poland) from Sunday to Monday. Ukrainian authorities reported that, despite the declared truce, Russia attacked the country with drones.

“Guided by humanitarian reasons, the Russian side announces the Easter truce (which is to apply – PAP) from 18 to midnight from Sunday to Monday. At my order, all military activities are to be suspended at that time” – Putin donated during a meeting in the Kremlin with the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, General Walerij Gierasimov. The meeting was reported by the Russian government media.

“We assume that Ukraine will follow our example. At the same time, our troops will be ready to repel the possible violations of the truce and the provocation of the enemy,” he added.

Shortly later, Putin's President Wołodymyr Zelnski referred to Putin's speech. “In connection with the last attempt of Putin Igrania with the life of people in Ukraine, an air alarm was announced. At 17:15 (16:15 Polish time), Russian assault drones were noticed in our sky. Ukrainian air defense and aviation have already begun defense.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that the order of a truce has already been transferred to all commanders of the branches fighting Ukraine. The announcement emphasized that the Russian troops would follow the truce if the Ukrainian side acts the same.

Zelanski: Drones over Ukraine show the real attitude of Putin to life and Easter

Russian drones over Ukraine show the true attitude of Vladimir Putin to Easter and human life – said on Saturday the President of Ukraine Wołodymyr Zelnski, adding that Ukrainian air defense repelled another attack of Russian forces of unmanneders.

“In connection with the last attempt of Putin Igrania with the lives of people in Ukraine, an air alarm was announced. At 17:15 (16:15 Polish time), Russian assault drones were noticed in our sky. Ukrainian air defense and aviation have already begun defense. – emphasized Zelanski in the Telegram post.

He also informed that, according to the report that the commander of the armed forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrski passed, “Our forces today were still active in the Kursk region (in Russia – PAP) and maintained positions.” “In the Belgorodzi region (also in Russia) our army went forward and increased our control zone,” said the president.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha also referred to Putin's declaration on Easter.

“Putin issued a statement of alleged readiness to suspend a weapon. 30 hours instead of 30 days. Unfortunately, we have a long history of his statements that do not match his actions. We know that you cannot trust his words and we will look at deeds, not words” – he noted in the entry on the website X.

Ukraine's Position Remains Clear and Consistent: Back in Jeddah on March 11, We Agreed Unconditionally to the US Professor of a Full Interim Ceasefire for 30 Days.

Russia Refused, and the Russian Refusal to the United States has already lasted 39 days. Inspes, The Moscow …

– Andria Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) April 19, 2025

Sybiha emphasized that the position of Ukraine remains clear and consistent, and during talks in Juddz on March 11, the Ukrainian side unconditionally agreed to the US proposal regarding the full suspension of weapons for 30 days.

Russia has refused and 39 days have passed since then – Sybiha pointed out. “(At that time – PAP) the Moscow regime imposed various conditions and increased terror against Ukraine, civilian population and civil infrastructure throughout the country (…) we want the Russian forces to actually suspend fire in all directions” – he emphasized.

Sybiha also called on all Ukraine's partners and the international community to be vigilant. “Only deeds, not words, show the truth: this war has begun and lasts only because of Russia,” he concluded.

Iryna Hirnyk

AWM/ AKL/