**Ukraine Rejects Russian “Humanitarian” Truce, Demands Immediate Ceasefire**
In a statement released on April 28, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a supposed “humanitarian” truce on the Victory Day. According to Sybiha, Russia must immediately stop its military activities if it truly wants a truce.
**Russia’s History of Breaking Truces**
This latest initiative is not the first time Russia has attempted to establish a ceasefire. Earlier this month, Moscow declared a truce over the Easter holiday, but Ukraine accused Russia of nearly 3,000 violations during that period. Additionally, Russian forces repeatedly breached a partial truce on attacks against energy facilities brokered in March.
**Kyiv Seeks Full and Unconditional Ceasefire**
Ukraine has consistently demanded a full and unconditional ceasefire as the first step towards a broader peace deal. However, Russia’s maximalist demands have been met with skepticism by Kyiv, which views them as a propaganda stunt. Despite this, Russia continues to proclaim its readiness for peace talks while simultaneously intensifying its attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.
**Sybiha’s Response**
In his statement, Sybiha emphasized that if Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. He questioned why Russia would wait until May 8th to implement a truce, when it could be achieved now or at any point in the next 30 days. Ukraine is willing to support a lasting and durable ceasefire, but only if it is genuine and not just a publicity stunt.
**The Implications**
This latest development highlights the deep-seated mistrust between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the complexities of achieving peace in the conflict-torn region. As the international community continues to monitor the situation, one thing is clear: for any truce to be successful, it must be accompanied by a genuine commitment from all parties involved.
**Read More**
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