**Russia Declares Easter Truce in Ukraine, But Will It Last?**
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a 30-hour ceasefire in Ukraine, starting from Saturday until 22:00 BST on Sunday. This temporary truce is being dubbed an “Easter truce” by the Kremlin. However, it remains to be seen if this pause in fighting will hold or if it’s just another attempt to gain a propaganda advantage.
According to Putin, Russian forces are expected to “stop all military activity” during this period, but they must remain prepared to respond to any perceived violations by Ukraine. The Russian defence ministry has echoed this stance, stating that its troops will adhere to the ceasefire only if it is “mutually respected” by Ukrainian forces.
**Ukraine’s Response**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed the truce but also expressed skepticism about Russia’s intentions. He accused Moscow of breaking previous ceasefires and emphasized that Ukraine would be mirroring Russian actions during this period. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which was rejected by Russia last month.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiha, was even more blunt in his assessment of Putin’s announcement. He wrote on X that the proposed 30-hour truce is “not matching [Russia’s] words” and that Ukraine would be looking at actions rather than words to determine whether Russia is genuinely committed to a ceasefire.
**A Short-Term Pause or Something More?**
The significance of this Easter truce lies in its potential to provide a short-term reprieve for civilians caught in the crossfire. However, it’s essential to remember that previous attempts at ceasefires have failed, and there are valid concerns about Russia’s sincerity.
If Russia is genuinely interested in ending the conflict, it should demonstrate its commitment through concrete actions rather than just words. The international community, particularly the US, has been pushing for a full and unconditional ceasefire, which Russia has consistently rejected.
**What’s Next?**
The fate of this Easter truce remains uncertain. If it holds, it could create an opportunity for renewed diplomatic efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict. However, if it collapses, as previous ceasefires have done, it will be back to square one, with no end in sight to the suffering of innocent civilians on both sides.
As Foreign Office spokesman in the UK noted, “Now is the moment for Putin to truly show he is serious about peace by ending his horrible invasion and committing to a full ceasefire.” The world will be watching closely to see if Russia takes this opportunity or chooses to ignore it once again.
