‘No Trust In Words’: Zelenskyy Says Russian Offensive Continues Despite Putin’s ‘Easter Truce’

Last Updated:April 20, 2025, 07:46 IST

It comes after Putin’s announcement of a “30-hour Easter ceasefire,” directing Russian forces to pause strikes on Ukraine from 6 PM Saturday until midnight Sunday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (AP Image)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Russian artillery fire was ongoing in border regions of Kursk and Belgorod despite President Vladimir Putin’s proclamation of a 30-hour Easter ceasefire.

This follows Putin’s announcement of a “30-hour Easter ceasefire,” directing Russian forces to pause strikes on Ukraine from 6 PM Saturday until midnight Sunday.

“As of now, according to the Commander-in-Chief’s reports, Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided. Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow,” Zelenskyy said in an X post.

“We know all too well how Moscow manipulates, and we are prepared for anything.”

Zelenskyy added that Ukraine’s Defence Forces will respond “rationally” and that every Russian strike will be met with an appropriate counteraction.

He recalled that Russia had last month rejected a US-proposed full 30-day ceasefire and said that if Moscow agreed to “truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly – mirroring Russia’s actions”.

The Ukrainian President further said that the Easter statements made by Putin did not extend to the Kursk and Belgorod regions as “hostilities continue and Russian strikes persist.”

“Russian artillery can still be heard in certain directions of the front, regardless of the Russian leader’s promise of silence. Russian drones are in use. In some areas, the situation has become quieter,” Zelenskyy said in another social media post.

Amid ongoing offensives, Russia and Ukraine carried out a significant prisoner exchange on Saturday, with both sides repatriating 246 captured soldiers in a deal facilitated by the UAE.

Although certain regions experienced brief periods of calm, Ukraine’s military reported that Russian assaults persisted, especially in areas near the border.