Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 30-hour Easter ceasefire in Ukraine starting Saturday evening, claiming it was a humanitarian gesture. However, Ukrainian officials and residents doubted Russia’s sincerity, citing ongoing attacks and previous unkept promises.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed the truce as disingenuous, noting Russian forces were still firing as the ceasefire took effect. He pointed out that Moscow had recently rejected a broader 30-day ceasefire proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Ukrainian officials reported ongoing air strikes and shelling in several regions, despite the declared pause.
Residents in Kyiv expressed distrust, expecting continued missile threats, while EU and UK officials urged Russia to genuinely commit to peace. Reports on the ground were mixed, with some saying attacks had slowed, though the overall fighting continued.
The unilateral truce followed heightened tensions and a deadly Russian missile strike in Sumy that killed 35 civilians during Palm Sunday celebrations. Despite Putin’s announcement, Ukraine and its allies remain cautious, pushing for a more substantial and verifiable end to hostilities.