Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of breaching the Easter truce that was unexpectedly announced by Putin. The ceasefire, declared to stop all military activity from Saturday until Monday, was met with skepticism by Ukraine, which has seen no pause in fighting since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Despite the temporary halt in hostilities, Ukrainian leaders reported a rise in attacks by Russian forces as the ceasefire wore on. The Ukrainian military recorded an increase in Russian shelling and the use of drones, casting doubt on Putin’s motives for calling the truce. Questions were raised about Russia’s commitment to peace efforts, especially after rejecting a previous US-led proposal for a ceasefire.

Zelensky criticized Russia for using the ceasefire as an opportunity to position heavy military equipment in a strategic area near Lyman. The Ukrainian president emphasized that Russia’s actions during the ceasefire suggested a lack of genuine intention to end the war, further fueling tensions between the two nations.

As the ceasefire continued, both sides traded accusations of ceasefire violations. Russia’s defense ministry claimed that Ukrainian forces had violated the ceasefire over 1,000 times, while Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported an increase in Russian assaults using heavy weapons and drones. The conflicting accounts of the ceasefire’s effectiveness underscored the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

Despite the challenges, Zelensky reiterated his call for a 30-day ceasefire, echoing a proposal that Russia had previously rejected. The Ukrainian Armed Forces pledged to limit fire on Russian troops but emphasized that they would respond if provoked, highlighting the delicate balance between maintaining peace and defending against aggression.

The ceasefire, initially intended for humanitarian purposes, quickly devolved into a cycle of accusations and escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The ongoing conflict underscores the complex dynamics at play in the region, with both sides showing a willingness to engage in hostilities despite diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.