One-day ceasefire collapses as both sides trade blame and international pressure mounts for a sustainable peace deal
Hopes for a rare pause in hostilities were dashed over the weekend as Ukraine and Russia accused each other of violating a brief 30-hour Easter truce, which had been unilaterally declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin and agreed to by Kyiv. What was meant to be a moment of reflection and peace during the Orthodox Easter turned instead into another flashpoint in the war’s ongoing volatility.
The ceasefire, which lasted from 4:00 p.m. BST Saturday to 10:00 p.m. BST Sunday, was quickly overshadowed by intense claims from both sides alleging widespread violations.
Kyiv Reports Thousands of Violations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Russia’s truce offer as a cynical “PR stunt,” claiming that Russian forces violated the ceasefire over 2,000 times, including 1,355 shelling incidents, more than 700 of which involved heavy weaponry. Zelensky did acknowledge a notable absence of air raid alerts, suggesting long-range missile and drone attacks had momentarily ceased.
Still, Zelensky remained sceptical of Moscow’s motives. “This Easter has made it clearer than ever—the origin and continuation of this war lies solely with Russia,” he said. He further proposed a 30-day halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure, hinting that Ukraine could support an extended truce under serious terms.
Russia Denies Violations, Blames Ukraine
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence rejected all accusations, asserting that its forces upheld the ceasefire in full, while claiming Ukraine launched hundreds of drone and artillery attacks during the same period. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed there would be no extension of the truce and offered no further details on potential future pauses in the fighting.
The BBC and other outlets have not been able to independently verify the battlefield claims made by either side.
Public Reaction: Distrust Runs Deep
On both sides of the front lines, Ukrainian and Russian-controlled communities expressed widespread distrust about the sincerity of the truce. In Kyiv, citizens attending Easter services expressed disbelief in Putin’s intentions. “I don’t believe this man has any respect for humanity,” said Olena Poprych, a 45-year-old lawyer.
In Russian-occupied Donetsk, similar scepticism was aimed at Ukraine’s leadership. A local resident named Vladimir told reporters, “There was nothing concrete from Zelensky about the ceasefire—just vague words. It gave me no confidence at all.”
International Response: A Call for Real Peace
The UK Foreign Office described the ceasefire as a “one-day stunt,” pointing to reports of civilian casualties during the truce. In a statement, British officials called for a 30-day comprehensive pause in fighting, supporting Kyiv’s proposal and adding that “fake ceasefires” had become a recurring tactic from the Kremlin.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as a prospective peace broker, expressed hope that “a deal might be reached this week,” though he provided no specific timeline or diplomatic path forward.
His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently held extended talks with President Putin in St Petersburg, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the window for diplomatic engagement is narrowing. “We’re not going to drag this out,” Rubio said. “We have other global priorities. If peace isn’t achievable now, we’ll move on.”
Ceasefire or Showmanship?
The failed Easter truce illustrates a broader trust deficit between Kyiv and Moscow, where even temporary halts in hostilities are viewed with suspicion. Analysts say the political value of ceasefire announcements may outweigh their military practicality, especially as both sides seek to influence international narratives.
With the EU, US, and UK urging more durable peace mechanisms, the collapse of the truce may ironically accelerate pressure for a broader negotiated settlement. But that path remains fraught with complications, not least due to Russia’s growing list of ceasefire conditions and Ukraine’s refusal to compromise on sovereignty or territorial integrity.
As the war grinds on into its third year, the question remains whether fleeting ceasefires can lead to lasting diplomacy—or whether they simply serve as smokescreens in a war of attrition with no clear end in sight.
