Zelensky accepts Putin’s truce. Russian attacks continue

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that he will respect the unilateral ceasefire ordered hours earlier by Russian homologist Vladimir Putin during Easter, although he points out that Moscow is already violating his own truce.
“If Russia is really willing to get involved, Ukraine will do the same-its actions will mirror those of Russia,” the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyin network X, adding that it proposed “extend the ceasefire beyond April 20”.

However, Zelensky stressed that Moscow did not fulfill With his word and that “the Russian attacks had continued in various sectors of the front,” while “Russian artillery fire had not diminished.”

Vladimir Putin He ordered his troops today to observe a ceasefire in Ukraine At Orthodox Easter, from 16:00 (Time of Lisbon) until 22:00 Sunday and urged Kiev to do the same.

“Guided by humanitarian considerations, the Russian side declares an Easter truce,” said Kremlin leader during a television -broadcast meeting with Armed Forces Chief Valery Gerasimov.

Despite the truce declared by Russiathe governor of the Kerson region, in southern Ukraine, indicated Russian drone attacks tonightwhile the Ukrainian Air Force issued alerts in various regions of the east of the country and Kiev.

“We have no confidence in the words from Moscow“Volodymyr Zelensky insisted, warning:“ We know your handling ability and we are still ready. The Ukrainian Defense Forces will respond to any attack. ”

In his first reaction to ceasefire, Zelensky had already defended, in a previous message, that “this is another Putin attempt to play with human lives“Although it has not clearly declared Kiev’s position on the truce.

“Ukrainian air defense and aviation have already started working to protect us. Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin’s true attitude Regarding Easter and human life, ”added the Ukrainian President.

Kiev’s head of diplomacy said in turn that “Ukraine expects actionsno words, ”referring to the Russian leader’s initiative.

According to Russian President, Kiev’s reaction to the Easter truce will demonstrate “sincerity, your desire and your ability to fulfill the agreements and to participate in peace conversations designed to eliminate the deep causes of the Ukrainian crisis. ”

“We hope the Ukrainian side will follow our example. At the same time, our troops must be prepared to repel possible violations of the enemy’s truce and provocations, as well as any aggressive actions on their part, ”he added.

In this regard, Putin considered that Ukraine has violated more than 100 times The 30-day energy ceasefire that Moscow declared unilaterally on March 18, to which Ukraine later joined through the mediation of the United States.

The Ukrainian authorities accused the Russian forces of multiple violations of that truce, in particular bloody attacks in recent days in the center and northeast of the country, which caused the, including children.

In his statement on Saturday, Putin also said that the Russian side was always willing to participate in peace negotiations and greeted the efforts of the US President, Donald Trumpas well as the Chinese leader, Xi Jinpingand from the BRICS countries, which “support a peaceful and fair solution to the Ukrainian crisis.”

Putin’s announcement, which is expected to appear tonight at the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral of Christ Salvador in Moscow, follows Donald Trump’s statements on Friday, suggesting that,, If there was no progress In indirect negotiations with Moscow and Kiev In a “question of days”Washington may abandon the peace process in Ukraine.

Attempts to establish an Easter respite in Ukraine have occurred twice since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022.

In April 2022, a first initiative in this regard, taken by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterresdid not materialize due to the refusal of Russia, claiming that a ceasefire would give the Ukrainian army the opportunity to regroup and rear.

The following year, in January 2023, the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, KirillHe asked both sides to stop the hostilities in Easter, and Russia declared a 36 -hour truce, but it was seen by Ukraine as “a trap” and the fighting continued.

Hundreds of prisoners exchanged

Russia reported today that 246 Russian military personnel returned from the territory controlled by Kiev and that, “as a gesture of goodwill“31 injured Ukrainian war prisoners were transferred in exchange for 15 also injured Russian soldiers.
Already the Ukrainian President stated that “277 Ukrainian warriors They returned the house of the Russian captivity ”in a change of prisoners with Russia mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

“Our people are at home: One of the best news may be. Another 277 warriors returned from the Russian captivity ”, the Ukrainian President in a message on social network X, accompanied by a video that shows images of Liberated men wrapped in the flags of their countries.