Easter truce is over – Putin

Vladimir Zelensky’s first reaction to Moscow’s Easter ceasefire proves Kiev’s lack of commitment to peace, the Russian president has said

Russia has resumed military action against Ukrainian forces after a 30-hour Easter ceasefire, President Vladimir Putin has said. Kiev’s first reaction to the ceasefire announcement on Saturday was indicative of its attitude to any peace initiatives, he added.

Putin announced the unilateral suspension of hostilities on Saturday, ordering Russian troops to only engage Ukrainian forces in response to their attacks. Commenting on the ceasefire on Monday, the Russian leader said it proved that unlike Moscow, Kiev is not seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

“Our attitude to ceasefires is positive, and that is why we proposed the initiative, especially as it was during the holy Easter days,” Putin said. “We’ve seen the initial reaction [from Kiev], as I believe everyone did. The statement characterized our proposal as ‘playing with lives’ and so on.”

The phrase was used by Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, who claimed on Saturday that the Russian initiative was not genuine.

“Apparently, smarter people – probably foreign handlers – explained that refusing such a proposal is a losing proposition for the Kiev regime, and [the Ukrainians] swiftly agreed,” Putin stated.

He added that Kiev’s subsequent messaging has been aimed at seizing the initiative by proposing to expand the now-expired pause. Putin cited military reports that there was a reduction in hostilities, but not a complete lull.