Featured Image Credit: Viktor Kovalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
Topics: Russia, Ukraine, Politics, World News, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin
Olivia Burke
Topics: Russia, Ukraine, Politics, World News, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin has broken his promise to put weapons down over the Easter weekend, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He claimed that Russia has continued to launch attacks throughout the night despite claiming 'all military actions' would be stopped from Saturday (19 April) evening until midnight on Monday (21 April).
Putin announced he was 'declaring an Easter truce' at a meeting with the chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov, which was then reported in a statement by the Kremlin's press service.
However, Zelenskyy claims the supposed pause on the conflict is merely a ruse orchestrated by Russia.
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In a post on X shared today (20 April), he said: "As of Easter morning, we can say that the Russian army is trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some places, it does not abandon individual attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine."
Zelenskyy claimed that Ukrainian forces had recorded 59 instances of Russian shelling and five assaults by units across various areas along the front line, as well as 'dozens' of drone strikes.
"Everywhere our warriors are responding as the enemy deserves, based on the specific combat situation," he wrote. "Ukraine will continue to act symmetrically."
In another update, he called out the Russian leader directly for allegedly breaking the terms of the temporary truce.
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"We are documenting every Russian violation of its self-declared commitment to a full ceasefire for the Easter period and are prepared to provide the necessary information to our partners," Zelenskyy said.
"In practice, either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war, and are only interested in favourable PR coverage.
"It’s a good thing, at least, that there were no air raid sirens.
"We thank all the media, podcasters, bloggers, and everyone sharing the truth about what is happening. Instead of broadcasting religious service from Moscow, the focus should be on pressuring Moscow to genuinely commit to a full ceasefire and to maintain it for at least 30 days after Easter - to give diplomacy a real chance."
The Ukrainian President continuously reiterated the offer to extend the truce for 30 days, starting on Sunday at midnight, but stated that Russia must completely adhere to the ceasefire conditions.
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However, it seems that both sides are pointing fingers at one another, as Russia's defence ministry have also accused Ukraine of breaking the truce, the BBC reports.
It claims that Zelenskyy's forces have fired hundreds of shots and launched hundreds of drone attacks, while also alleging that civilians have died in the crossfire, although this has not been verified.
Putin announced the Easter ceasefire after Donald Trump said that his patience was wearing thin with both countries and suggested the US could pull out of aiding peace talks.
Earlier this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the President wants to decide on how to move forward 'in a matter of days.'
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"We are now reaching a point where we need to decide whether this is even possible or not," Rubio said of reaching agreeable terms with Russia and Ukraine.
"Because if it’s not, then I think we’re just going to move on. It’s not our war. We have other priorities to focus on."
Trump himself said that neither nation is 'playing' the US and that attempts to broker a peace deal were 'coming to a head', before sharing a warning to Putin and Zelenskyy.
"Now, if for some reason, one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say you’re foolish," Trump added.
"You are fools, you horrible people. And we’re going to just take a pass. But hopefully, we won’t have to do that."