The situation in Ukraine remains tense as President Zelenskyy has rejected Russian President Putin’s call for a ceasefire over the Easter holiday. Despite Putin’s order for a 30-hour truce to allow Orthodox Easter celebrations, Zelenskyy says that fighting is still ongoing and that Ukraine does not trust Russia’s promises.
‘No Trust In Words’: Ukraine’s View
Zelenskyy’s decision is based on a history of broken promises by Russia. He believes that Russia often uses ceasefires to regroup, resupply, and prepare for new attacks. Because of this, Ukraine does not trust Russia’s words and refuses to lower its defenses.
“How many times have we heard promises, only to be let down?” Zelenskyy said, pointing out that actions matter more than words, especially in a war where trust has been lost due to Russia’s past actions.
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The Ceasefire Offer: What’s Behind It?
Putin’s offer was for Russian forces to stop fighting from 6 PM Saturday until midnight Sunday, during the Orthodox Easter celebrations. He presented it as a gesture of respect for the holiday. But the short duration of the ceasefire, only 30 hours, has raised questions about how serious Russia is about peace.
Some believe that the ceasefire could be an attempt by Russia to improve its international reputation or to test Ukraine’s defenses, rather than a true commitment to peace.
Fighting Still Reported
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Ukrainian sources report that Russian forces have continued to attack. There are reports of shelling, missile strikes, and ground attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine, directly contradicting Russia’s claim of a ceasefire. This only strengthens Zelenskyy’s distrust in Russia’s intentions.
What’s Next for the Conflict?
By rejecting the ceasefire, Zelenskyy shows that Ukraine will continue to fight for now. This decision also highlights the deep mistrust between Ukraine and Russia, making peace talks very difficult. Without real efforts from both sides to de-escalate, the war looks set to continue, causing more destruction in Ukraine and beyond.
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In the end, Zelenskyy’s rejection of the truce shows how much Ukraine doubts Russia’s promises. With the fighting still ongoing, the need for a peaceful solution is more urgent than ever. However, the lack of trust between the two sides makes finding peace much harder.
