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Ukraine and Russia Trade Accusations Over Easter Truce Violations
Kyiv and Moscow have exchanged accusations of breaching a 30-hour “Easter truce” in the ongoing conflict, initially declared by the Russian president. Both nations alleged violations of the ceasefire, further escalating tensions during the Orthodox Easter period.
Conflicting Reports of Hostilities
Ukraine’s Allegations of Russian Attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Ukrainian front-line positions endured over 46 Russian assaults since Sunday morning. It is important to note that these figures have not been independently verified.
Russia’s Counter-Claims and Accusations Against Kyiv
Conversely, Russia’s defense ministry stated its forces had “repelled” Ukrainian offensive attempts. They further asserted that Kyiv’s forces launched numerous drone and artillery strikes, according to reports from state-affiliated news outlets.
The Announced Easter Ceasefire
Putin’s Truce Declaration
On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a cessation of all military actions from 16:00 BST on Saturday until 22:00 BST (midnight Moscow time) on Sunday. Ukraine indicated it would also observe this truce.
“For this duration, I command a halt to all military operations,” Putin stated in his public announcement.
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“We anticipate that the Ukrainian side will reciprocate. Simultaneously, our forces must maintain readiness to counter potential breaches of the truce and provocations from the adversary, including any aggressive actions.”
Zelensky’s Skepticism and “PR” Accusations
However, President Zelensky countered that Ukraine witnessed hundreds of attacks and drone deployments on Sunday. He dismissed Putin’s truce declaration as a public relations maneuver.
Zelensky characterized Vladimir Putin’s pronouncements as “hollow” and accused the Kremlin of attempting to fabricate “a general impression of a cessation of fire.”
“This Easter has unequivocally demonstrated that the sole origin of this war, and the rationale for its prolongation, is Russia,” the Ukrainian president asserted on Sunday.
The Russian defense ministry maintained that its forces had “strictly adhered to the ceasefire.”
International Reactions and Distrust
US Stance on Peace Negotiations
The announcement of the surprise “Easter truce” followed shortly after remarks from a US official suggesting a potential shift away from actively brokering further Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.
Ukraine’s Readiness to Extend the Truce
Ukraine had communicated its willingness to prolong the truce, which was scheduled to conclude at midnight local time on Sunday (22:00 BST).
Public Reactions to the Truce
Kyiv and Donetsk Residents Express Divergent Views
Reactions to the 30-hour truce were mixed among Ukrainians attending Easter morning religious services in both Kyiv and the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk on Sunday.
“I believe this individual [Putin] has no connection to humanity,” Olena Poprych, a 45-year-old lawyer, conveyed to Reuters news agency.
Conversely, in Donetsk, a city largely under Russian control since 2014, residents voiced similar skepticism regarding Ukraine’s commitment to upholding the ceasefire terms.
“I closely observed his [Zelensky’s] reactions,” stated Vladimir, a Donetsk resident attending Easter morning service. “There was no definitive statement about the ceasefire… only ambiguous remarks, offering no assurance that we will not be shelled.”
UK Government’s Assessment of the Truce
On Sunday, the UK government described the proposed ceasefire as a “one-day stunt,” alleging that the purported truce involved “infringements, including fatalities and injuries among innocent Ukrainians.”
A statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) characterized the truce as consistent with the “pattern of previous disingenuous ceasefires” and instead advocated for a more extended 30-day cessation of hostilities, as proposed by Ukraine.
“As always, we see no indication that President Putin is genuinely preparing for peace,” the FCDO statement concluded.
Background to the Conflict
Ceasefire Accusations and the Ongoing War
Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating the ceasefire. Putin had declared a one-day ceasefire in Ukraine until midnight Moscow time (2100 GMT) on Sunday.
Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of individuals – predominantly military personnel – have been killed or wounded across all involved parties.
US Involvement and Stalled Progress
The United States has engaged in direct communication with Russia as part of broader efforts to resolve the conflict, but has encountered obstacles in achieving significant progress.
In the prior month, Moscow presented a substantial list of pre-conditions in response to a comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire previously agreed upon by the US and Ukraine.
Shift in US Approach
On Friday, a US official indicated a potential change in approach, stating that the US is not “going to continue with this endeavor for weeks and months on end,” citing “other priorities to focus on.”
“We need to determine very quickly now – and I’m talking about a matter of days – whether or not this is achievable,” the official added.
“If it’s not going to materialize, then we’re simply going to move forward.”