Zelenskyy: Ukraine Will Match Russia’s Ceasefire If It’s Genuine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine will respond to Russia’s declared ceasefire based on Moscow’s actual behavior on the ground. His comments came after Russian President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly announced a 30-hour Easter truce.
“Silence will be met with silence, and strikes will be answered in defense,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. He added that if the ceasefire proves real, Ukraine is open to extending the pause beyond the holiday. “Thirty hours might be enough for headlines, but not enough to build genuine trust,” he said.
Putin’s announcement of the truce came just ahead of Orthodox Easter, with the Kremlin declaring that all Russian combat operations would stop from 6 p.m. on April 19 until midnight on April 21. The Kremlin called on Kyiv to reciprocate and suggested the move was a signal of goodwill, even welcoming U.S. efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the war.
Despite the announcement, the hours surrounding the start of the ceasefire were tense. Roughly an hour before the truce was set to begin, air raid sirens rang out in Kyiv, though no attacks were reported. Another brief alert followed four hours later.
Ukrainian forces were told to observe the ceasefire but to remain vigilant. A senior Ukrainian officer told the BBC the move had taken many by surprise and that there was still uncertainty about how it would be implemented. Troops were instructed to document any violations and respond only if directly threatened.
Skepticism From the West
Western leaders reacted to the truce with caution, expressing doubt over Moscow’s intentions. The European Union emphasized that actions speak louder than words.
“Russia has a well-documented history of aggression. What matters now is not announcements, but a real halt in hostilities and evidence of a sincere desire for a lasting ceasefire,” said Anitta Hipper, the European Commission’s lead spokesperson for foreign affairs. “If Russia truly wanted to end this war, it could do so at any time.”
The UK echoed these sentiments. “Ukraine has committed to a full ceasefire. Now it’s up to Russia to prove it's serious about peace,” said a statement from Britain’s Foreign Office. “Putin has the opportunity to stop the violence and end this war.”
Trump Issues Warning on Peace Talks
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on April 18, saying he would abandon peace efforts “within days” if meaningful progress is not seen. Trump has pledged to quickly bring the war to an end, signaling a shift in U.S. policy away from full backing of Kyiv and toward engaging more directly with Russia’s narrative.
In March, Ukraine had agreed to Trump’s proposed 30-day truce, but Moscow rejected the offer. Instead, both sides settled on partial pauses, mainly targeting energy and maritime infrastructure. Each has since accused the other of violating even those limited agreements.
As the temporary Easter truce unfolds, much remains uncertain—particularly whether it signals a step toward de-escalation or simply another fleeting pause in a grinding war.
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