Easter Truce? Not So Fast

The Easter weekend was supposed to bring a pause in the fighting between Ukraine and Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary ceasefire, starting Saturday evening and lasting until Monday morning. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a different story to tell. He pointed out that Russia launched drone attacks just before the truce began. This was not a good sign. It seems that the fighting has not stopped at all. Zelensky shared that Russian assaults are still happening in several frontline areas. He also mentioned that Russian artillery fire has not stopped. This is a big deal because it shows that Russia might not be keeping its word. Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine is ready for anything. He said that Ukraine’s Defense Forces will respond to any Russian strikes appropriately. This means that if Russia attacks, Ukraine will fight back. Zelensky got an update from his commander in chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, about the situation on the front lines. He reported that while some areas have become quieter, Russian drone attacks and artillery strikes are still happening. Zelensky has been pushing for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire. This would give both sides a chance to step back and maybe find a way to end the war. However, it seems that Russia is not interested in this idea. The latest reports of fighting during the supposed truce come at a time when U. S. officials are considering moving on from peace talks. These talks have not been successful in reaching a ceasefire. But U. S. President Donald Trump has said that he thinks there is a good chance of ending the war. He believes that a deal is coming soon. However, the actions of Russia do not seem to support this optimism. It is clear that the situation is complex and that both sides have different goals. It is important to remember that war is never simple, and finding a solution will take time and effort from both sides.