Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine on Saturday, coinciding with the Orthodox Easter holiday. The announcement comes after weeks of intensified fighting in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded with skepticism, questioning the validity of the proposed truce given Russia's past actions.
"We've heard many announcements before," Zelenskyy stated in a televised address. "We will believe it when we see it." Air raid sirens persisted throughout the country, even after the ceasefire was declared, raising further doubts about its implementation.
The Easter holiday is a significant religious event for both Russia and Ukraine, where the majority of the population identifies as Orthodox Christian. Calls for a ceasefire to allow civilians to observe the holiday peacefully had grown in recent days from various international organizations and leaders. The effectiveness and duration of the announced truce remain uncertain, as both sides maintain a high level of military readiness.
Russia Announces Easter Truce in Ukraine; Skepticism Remains
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to observe Easter. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed doubt about Russia's sincerity. Despite the truce announcement, air raid alerts continued to sound across Ukraine. The international community is closely watching the situation, urging a lasting peaceful resolution.