Kremlin comments on extending Easter ceasefire
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not given any order to prolong the Easter ceasefire with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
Speaking to Russian media on Sunday, some five hours before the expiration of the temporary truce, Peskov said the 30-hour ceasefire was set to end as scheduled at 00:00 on Sunday night-Monday morning.
“There were no other orders,” he stressed.
Putin announced the surprise pause in fighting on Saturday, to last through Easter. The president urged Kiev to follow suit while calling on Russian troops to stay on high alert, citing Ukraine's history of breaking promises and violating agreements.
“Our troops must be prepared to react to possible violations of the ceasefire and provocations by the adversary, to any aggressive actions,” Putin stated.
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky initially appeared to snub the truce, branding it an attempt to “play with human lives.” He appeared to change his stance later on Saturday, suggesting the ceasefire could be prolonged beyond the 30-hour mark should Moscow abide by it.
“If Russia is now suddenly ready to really join the format of complete and unconditional ceasefire, Ukraine will act in a reciprocal way – as it will be from the Russian side. Silence in response to silence, strikes in response to strikes,” Zelensky stated.
Both sides have accused the other of repeatedly breaking the truce. According to the Russian military, Kiev’s forces made 1,300 attacks in the less than 24 hours since the truce was declared.
Zelensky made similar allegations, claiming Russian forces shelled Ukrainian positions more than 900 times, as well as staged some 46 “assault operations” during the period.
