Zelenskyy Dismisses Putin's Easter Ceasefire as a Public Relations Ruse Amid Ongoing Attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's announced Easter ceasefire as nothing but a publicity stunt, asserting that Russian military operations have persisted unabated across the frontline. According to a report from Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, heavy weaponry is still in use by Russian forces, with noticeable upticks in shelling following the ceasefire declaration.
Since 10 am on Sunday, Zelenskyy noted a doubling in the use of kamikaze drones by the Russian army, illustrating an escalation of hostilities despite the supposed truce. With 26 assaults being recorded between midnight on Saturday and noon on Sunday, Zelenskyy has taken to social media to document the violations of the ceasefire that Russia had self-declared.
In his statements, he emphasized that either Putin lacks full control over his troops, or it reflects a broader Russian disposition disinclined to effectuate a real cessation of hostilities. "The Russian army is trying to give the impression of a ceasefire while still advancing in certain areas."
Recent battlefield footage supports Zelenskyy's assertions, showcasing visible explosions in regions like the village of Uspenivka in Donetsk. An evacuation convoy in the village of Zoria near Kostiantynivka also came under attack, injuring at least two civilians and a rescue worker from the Proliksa aid agency.
Denys Bobkov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's 37th Separate Marine Brigade, stated that for them, it was merely another day of warfare, beset by ongoing shelling and drone attacks. By the afternoon of Sunday, his brigade had recorded 16 drone attacks and two artillery strikes near Novopavlivka, situated between the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Contrarily, during a session in Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of breaching the ceasefire over 1,000 times, claiming more than 900 drone strikes with ensuing collateral damage and civilian casualties. Details on these incidents, however, remained sparse.
As the United States grows increasingly impatient with both parties, the situation evolves. Former President Donald Trump has signaled readiness to step away from his attempt to mediate a peace agreement, stating, "If one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say You’re foolish. You’re fools. You’re horrible people."
This impatience coincides with reports suggesting that the U.S. may entertain the idea of freezing the conflict along the established frontline, with proposals for territorial concessions including recognition of Crimea as part of Russia. Trump's envoy has floated the idea of ceding Crimea and four other Ukrainian provinces to Russia.
Despite the Kremlin's firm stance on achieving its war objectives—which include the removal of Zelenskyy from power and the demilitarization of Ukraine—the President of Ukraine remains vigilant. Preparing to enhance ties with Washington, Zelenskyy recently approved a 30-day U.S. ceasefire proposal and is set to finalize an agreement granting the U.S. access to vital Ukrainian minerals.
Frustrations are beginning to bubble up, however, particularly regarding the White House's rhetoric perceived as pro-Putin. Trump’s recent pressure has led to effective halts in military assistance and intelligence sharing, while no punitive measures have been directed at Russia.
Additionally, on Sunday, Zelenskyy criticized Fox News for broadcasting Putin’s appearance at an Orthodox Easter service, labelling Kyiv incorrectly as part of Russia. He argued that the media should focus on pressuring Moscow for a genuine commitment to a prolonged ceasefire instead.
In response to the broadcast, Ukraine's foreign ministry requested clarification from Fox News, urging for an apology if the mislabeling was indeed a mistake and advocating for an investigation into the matter.
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