The president of Ukraine Volodimir Zelenski He promised the Great Saturday that his country will respect the Easter truce ordered by the Russian President in the afternoon Vladimir PutinBut accusing Moscow of already violating it.
“If Russia is ready to truly commit, Ukraine will do the same – its actions will reflect those of Russia,” Volodimir Zelenski wrote on the X platform. The Ukrainian president also proposed to extend the truce announced by Vladimir Putin after April 20. “If a full truce is applied, Ukraine proposes to be quoted after Easter,” he wrote.
At the same time, he stressed that “Russian attacks continue in many areas of the front”.
“So far, according to reports by the Supreme Commander of the Army, Russian operations continue in many areas of the front and the artillery fires have not ceased. Therefore, we do not trust the words coming from Moscow, “he added. Zelenski recalled that Russia rejected the proposal for a 30 -day truce last month.
The corresponding proposal for a full and unconditional 30 days ceasefire has gone unanswered by Russia for 39 days. The United States made this proposal, Ukraine responded positively, but Russia ignored it.
If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and…
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@zelenskyyua) April 19, 2025
A little earlier, the Governor of Hersona, in southern Ukraine, spoke of attacks by Russian non -man -made aircraft in his periphery. Olxandr Prokudin said that “around 18.00” by an attack by eight Russian streets caused a fire in apartments of a block of flats and early in the evening another three roads hit two villages, while the sirens of the anti -aircraft defense in many areas were sounded.
Kiev “does not trust Putin”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister said earlier that his country could not trust Russian President Vladimir Putin about his proclamation of an Easter ceasefire and added that Kiev insists on the original agreement to keep a 30 -day truce.
“Ukraine’s position remains clear and consistent: On March 11 in Jeddah we agreed unconditionally on the US proposal for a complete, temporary ceasefire for 30 days,” Minister Andriy Simbicha said in a post on the X platform.
“Putin now makes statements that he is supposed to be ready for a ceasefire for 30 hours instead of 30 days. Russia can agree at any time on the proposal for a full and unconditional 30 -day ceasefire, which has been on the table since March (…) we know that we cannot trust the words (of Putin) and will look at actions, no words, “he added.
Putin’s announcement
It is noted that the reaction from the Kiev side came a short time later after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to comply with A ceasefire of fire in Ukraine On the occasion of Easter, starting from 18.00 hours of Greece and until Sunday night to Monday, inviting Kiev to do the same.
“Guided by humanitarian thoughts, the Russian side declares a truce for Easter today, from 18.00 (Moscow and Greek time) to midnight Sunday to Monday. I command that all hostilities stop during this period, “said Vladimir Putin, in a meeting broadcast live on Russian television.
Putin said he speculated that Ukraine would follow Russia’s example, but commissioned the Chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, Valerie Gerasimov to prepare the Russian troops in order to repel any trawlers from Kiev.
New Captain Exchange
Almost simultaneously with Putin’s announcement, the Russian Ministry of Defense said it proceeded In another exchange of prisoners of war with Ukraine.
Overall, each side exchanged from 246 prisoners. But they add 31 Ukrainian injured and 15 Russians who have also been injured and needed hospitalization.
Zelenski confirmed that a total of 277 prisoners of war returned to Ukraine in Ukraine.
Earlier, it was known that the US was preparing to recognize Crimea’s control by Russia as a part of a broader peace deal between Moscow and Kiev.