- Russia and Ukraine accused each other of breaching the Easter truce, with Russia reporting over 1,300 Ukrainian strikes and Ukraine alleging nearly 3,000 Russian violations.
- The ceasefire, declared by Putin as a goodwill gesture from April 19-20, collapsed amid escalating attacks, including Ukrainian artillery/drone strikes (per Russia) and Russian shelling in Pokrovsk (per Ukraine).
- Both sides dismissed peace efforts – Kyiv proposed a 30-day pause in civilian attacks, while Moscow rejected it as insincere, with a Russian official doubting Ukraine’s commitment to lasting ceasefires.
- Despite U.S. involvement (including Trump’s March ceasefire proposal), talks faltered as Putin insisted on keeping occupied territories, a dealbreaker for Kyiv.
- The breakdown mirrors past unsuccessful truces (e.g., Minsk agreements), suggesting prolonged warfare without major external pressure or battlefield shifts. Civilian suffering persists with no near-term resolution in sight.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of repeatedly violating a short-lived Easter ceasefire, undermining hopes for a negotiated pause in the ongoing war.
Russian officials reported over 1,300 Ukrainian strikes during the agreed-upon truce, while Kyiv countered with claims of nearly 3,000 Russian violations. The breakdown in the brief cessation of hostilities highlights the deep mistrust between the two sides and raises doubts about the viability of future peace efforts.
The ceasefire initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, April 19, was set to last until midnight of Sunday, April 20. The Russian leader framed the move as a goodwill gesture and instructed Russian forces to remain on high alert for any Ukrainian provocations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded cautiously, saying Kyiv’s forces would act «in a reciprocal way.»
However, both sides later accused each other of escalating attacks. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed Sunday that Ukrainian forces launched artillery barrages and drone strikes across multiple regions. The attacks on areas such as Crimea, Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod resulted in civilian casualties, it added.
In turn, Ukrainian officials reported continued Russian shelling amid the ceasefire on Monday, April 21. The shelling centered around the embattled eastern town of Pokrovsk.
Impossible path to peace for Moscow and Kyiv
«I do not remember a single ceasefire that would be successful and long-term, so I do not yet see any serious grounds to say that Ukraine is capable of doing this,» said Rodion Miroshnik, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs ambassador-at-large. Meanwhile, Zelensky insisted that Ukraine had upheld its commitments and suggested a 30-day pause in strikes on civilian targets – an offer Moscow dismissed as insincere.
The failure of the Easter truce underscores the precarious state of diplomatic efforts, including those led by the U.S., to broker a lasting peace. U.S. President Donald Trump, who proposed an earlier 30-day ceasefire in March, expressed tentative optimism over the weekend, stating that a deal could be reached. (Related: Trump races to broker Ukraine ceasefire as U.S. warns of withdrawal.)
However, the persistent violence suggests neither side is willing to make substantial concessions. Putin has repeatedly signaled openness to talks but only if Russia retains control of occupied Ukrainian territories – a nonstarter for Kyiv.
Historically, ceasefires in this conflict have been fleeting. The Minsk agreements of 2014 and 2015, brokered by France and Germany, failed to halt fighting in eastern Ukraine. The latest breakdown reinforces fears that without significant external pressure – or battlefield shifts – both nations may remain locked in prolonged, attritional warfare.
As the war drags into its third year, civilian suffering continues to mount. Despite Zelensky’s Easter plea for hope, the immediate prospects for peace appear dim. For now, the Easter truce serves as yet another reminder of how distant a lasting resolution remains.
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Watch this video discussing the difference between Russia’s desire of a sustainable peace versus Ukraine’s goal of a temporary ceasefire.
This video is from the Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
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