**Ukraine and Russia Trade Accusations Over Easter Truce Breach**
The fragile ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia has collapsed just 24 hours into its planned 30-hour duration. The “Easter truce”, announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, was intended to give both sides a brief respite from the conflict.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that his country’s front line had been hit by over 46 Russian assaults since Sunday morning. This assertion has not been independently verified by the BBC.
In response, Russia’s defense ministry accused Ukraine of launching hundreds of drones and shells, according to state media sources. The ministry also stated that its troops had “repelled” attempted Ukrainian assaults.
**A PR Exercise?**
Putin’s announcement of a ceasefire was met with skepticism by many in Ukraine. Zelensky described Putin’s declaration as a “PR exercise”, designed to create a false impression of peace. The Ukrainian president claimed that Russia was using the Easter truce to mask its ongoing aggression.
“This Easter has clearly demonstrated that the only source of this war, and the reason it drags on, is Russia,” Zelensky said in a statement.
**Mixed Reactions from Civilians**
There were mixed reactions among civilians in Ukraine and Russian-occupied Donetsk to the 30-hour truce. Some Ukrainians expressed distrust towards Putin’s intentions, while residents of Donetsk voiced similar concerns about Zelensky’s commitment to maintaining peace.
“I do not think this man [Putin] has anything to do with humanity,” said Olena Poprych, a 45-year-old lawyer attending an Easter service in Kyiv.
In contrast, Vladimir, a resident of Donetsk who attended an Easter service there, expressed doubts about Zelensky’s willingness to observe the ceasefire. “There was nothing about the ceasefire… just some vague statements, not giving any confidence that we will not be shelled,” he said.
**US Involvement**
The surprise Easter truce announcement came shortly after US President Donald Trump threatened to “take a pass” on brokering further Russia-Ukraine peace talks. The US has stated that it is no longer committed to mediating the conflict, citing other priorities.
“This decision was not taken lightly,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who announced the US’s withdrawal from negotiations last week. “We have other priorities to focus on.”
The collapse of the Easter truce raises further concerns about the prospects for peace in Ukraine. As the conflict continues, civilians on both sides are left wondering if a lasting ceasefire is even possible.
**Analysis**
The 30-hour truce was always likely to be a fragile and temporary measure. The fact that it broke down so quickly suggests that the underlying tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain significant.
Putin’s announcement of a ceasefire may have been intended to create a positive public image, but it has ultimately served only to highlight the deep-seated differences between the two sides.
The US’s withdrawal from peace talks adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Without international mediation, it is unclear how a lasting ceasefire can be achieved.
As the conflict continues, civilians on both sides are left to suffer the consequences of this ongoing war. The Easter truce was always a slim hope for peace – and now, it seems that hope has been extinguished once again.
**Sources**
The article is based on reports from the BBC, Reuters, and other news agencies.
