Zelenskyy Doubts Putin’s Easter Ceasefire as Drones Buzz Overhead and US Truce Proposal Gets the Cold Shoulder

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is giving some serious side-eye to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Easter ceasefire announcement. As Putin claimed Russia would pause fighting for a handful of hours during the Orthodox holiday, air raid sirens blared across Ukraine and attack drones made their presence known above the cities. Zelenskyy didn’t miss a beat, writing on X that, "Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin’s true attitude toward Easter and toward human life." That’s one way to send a holiday greeting—by remote control, apparently.

The Kremlin released a video with Putin declaring, "Guided by humanitarian considerations, today from 18:00 to 00:00, from Sunday to Monday, the Russian side declares an Easter truce." Yet, Zelenskyy pointed out that Russia completely ignored a recent US proposal for a 30-day truce, even after Ukraine agreed. "If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly—mirroring Russia’s actions. Silence in response to silence, defensive strikes in response to attacks," Zelenskyy said. If only diplomatic negotiations were as simple as matching outfits.

Zelenskyy suggested that if a ceasefire manages to stick, it should be extended. "Thirty hours is enough to make headlines, but not for genuine confidence-building measures. Thirty days could give peace a chance," he argued. So far, though, Easter is looking more like a PR stunt than a true pause.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy reported that Russian assault operations and artillery fire continued in several frontline sectors, with drones still buzzing overhead. "There is no trust in words coming from Moscow. We know all too well how Moscow manipulates, and we are prepared for anything," he stated, adding that Ukraine’s forces will respond in kind to any Russian aggression.

He also highlighted that Putin’s so-called truce didn’t even cover all regions—hostilities carried on in places like Kursk and Belgorod, with Russian artillery still rumbling. In some areas things got a bit quieter, but overall, the guns never really went silent.

Zelenskyy kept the door open for genuine peace, saying, "The proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day silence remains on the table—the answer must come from Moscow. Ukraine, together with our partners, is ready to move toward peace as constructively as possible, but same readiness is required from Russia."

The war, which began with Russia’s 2022 invasion, has now dragged on for more than three years, leaving tens of thousands dead on both sides. Amid these grim realities, the US and Ukraine are reportedly preparing to finalize a minerals deal, with reports suggesting that the US has relaxed its demands for repayment—from $300 billion down to $100 billion. Not exactly pocket change, but a sign of shifting priorities as the conflict grinds on.

On the peace front, former President Donald Trump stated that the US would "just take a pass" on peace efforts if Putin refuses to compromise. "If, for some reason, one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we're just going to say, 'You're foolish, you're fools, you're horrible people,' and we're going to just take a pass," Trump told reporters, apparently channeling his inner kindergarten teacher for international diplomacy.