Ukraine remains poised as Russia mulls over ceasefire silence
- If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia’s actions. Silence in response to silence, defensive strikes in response to attacks, announced the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
What do you need to know?
- Ceasefire proposal: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a full and unconditional ceasefire for 30 days, which has remained unanswered by Russia for 39 days.
- Ukraine's reaction: Ukraine is ready to act in a mirror fashion, responding with silence to silence, but Russian assault actions still continue on some sections of the front.
- Kyiv's stance: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasises that it will judge Russia based on deeds, not declarations.
President Zelensky, in a statement published on Saturday evening on Telegram, reported that the appropriate proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire for a period of 30 days has remained unanswered by Russia for 39 days.
Earlier, Vladimir Putin called for an "Easter truce." He announced that Russia will "stop all military activity" from Saturday evening through Sunday
Zelensky: Silence in response to silence, strikes only in defence
- The United States made this proposal, Ukraine responded positively, but Russia ignored it, he reminded.
- If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia’s actions. Silence in response to silence, defensive strikes in response to attacks. If a complete ceasefire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond the Easter day of April 20. That is what will reveal Russia’s true intentions — because 30 hours is enough to make headlines, but not for genuine confidence-building measures. Thirty days could give peace a chance, Zelensky emphasised.
Zelensky: There will be an appropriate response to every Russian attack
Zelensky noted that at the moment, according to the report of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian assault operations continue on some sections of the front, and artillery shelling does not cease.
- Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow. We know all too well how Moscow manipulates, and we are prepared for anything. Ukraine’s Defence Forces will act rationally — responding in kind. Every Russian strike will be met with an appropriate response, Zelensky emphasised.
The President of Ukraine expects two more reports from Oleksandr Syrskyi, who is collecting reports from brigade and unit commanders at the front.
A senior officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces earlier conveyed to the BBC that his unit, like other units, received an order to cease fire towards Russian positions just a few minutes after the "Easter truce" announced by Russia began.
In response to Putin's proposal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a statement. Kyiv responded directly: "we look at the deeds, not the words."
