[Text/Observer Network Chen Sijia] On April 19 local time, Russian President Putin announced that a temporary ceasefire would be implemented during Easter, stopping all combat operations from 18:00 Moscow time on the 19th to 00:00 on the 21st. In response, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that if Russia is willing to fully and unconditionally cease fire, Ukraine will also take a corresponding response, and he proposed extending the duration of the ceasefire to 30 days.

Zelenskyy posted on the social platform X: "Regarding the proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, Russia has not responded for 39 consecutive days. This is an American proposal, which Ukraine has positively responded to, but Russia ignored it. If Russia is now suddenly prepared to join the framework of a full and unconditional ceasefire, Ukraine will take corresponding actions."

Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready to "respond to ceasefire with ceasefire, and respond to attacks with defensive strikes." He also proposed extending the duration of the ceasefire beyond Easter: "This will reveal Russia's true intentions. Because 30 hours are enough to make headlines, but not enough to build real trust, while 30 days can create opportunities for peace."

In addition, Ukrainian Chief of Staff Yermak announced on the 19th that Ukraine demanded Russia implement an unconditional comprehensive ceasefire. "Ukraine will respond to silence with silence and to ceasefire with ceasefire. If a ceasefire can be achieved now, it should continue after April 20. Russia must permanently cease fire and end the war."

On the afternoon of the 19th local time, Russian President Putin listened to a report from General Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, at the Kremlin. Putin stated that on the occasion of Orthodox Easter on April 20, Russian troops would stop all combat operations from 18:00 Moscow time on the 19th to 00:00 on the 21st. Putin expressed hope that Ukraine would also follow this approach.

Putin pointed out that the temporary ceasefire would test the sincerity, willingness, and ability of the Ukrainian government to comply with agreements and participate in peace talks. He also required the Russian armed forces to remain vigilant and prepare for potential attacks by Ukrainian troops.

Russian media "RT" reported that after Putin made this statement, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ceasefire and called on the Ukrainian side to respond. The Russian Defense Ministry stated: "The ceasefire is for humanitarian purposes, and as long as the Ukrainian government complies, the Russian army will implement the ceasefire."

Screenshot of Russian President Putin

However, several hours later, both sides accused each other of not fully adhering to the ceasefire. Zelenskyy posted on the X platform: "I have heard reports from Commander-in-Chief Syrsky of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Fighting actions are still ongoing in Kursk Oblast and Belgorod Oblast, with continuous Russian air strikes. There are still sounds of Russian artillery fire in certain directions on the front line."

However, Zelenskyy admitted that the situation has eased in some areas. He stated: "Our actions will be symmetrical. The proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire remains on the negotiation table, and Moscow must respond. Ukraine and its partners are prepared to move toward peace as constructively as possible, but Russia also needs to have similar preparation."

According to TASS, the head of the administration of the Russian-controlled Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, stated in the evening of the 19th that after the temporary ceasefire began, Ukrainian forces launched artillery strikes and drone attacks on multiple locations in Kherson. "While millions were praying for peace on Easter night, the Ukrainian side violated the ceasefire agreement announced by President Putin."

Saldo stated: "Some areas have returned to calm without artillery strikes. This means that there are people within the Ukrainian army who hear calls for peace. But unfortunately, not everyone is like this."

"RT" also reported that within less than an hour after the ceasefire took effect, the Russian positions in Donetsk Region were repeatedly attacked by Ukrainian drones and artillery.

Since President Trump came to power, the U.S. government has repeatedly engaged with both sides of the conflict to attempt to facilitate ceasefire agreements. On March 18 and 19, Trump spoke separately with Putin and Zelenskyy. Both sides agreed to cease fire at energy facilities and discussed expanding the ceasefire to the Black Sea as the first step toward comprehensively resolving the Ukraine crisis.

A U.S. official told Reuters that U.S. and Ukrainian officials will restart negotiations in London next week to give Ukraine time to fully agree to Washington's "list of terms." The official stated that Kyiv is prepared to achieve at least a 30-day or longer comprehensive ceasefire in land, sea, and air regions.

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated on April 18 that if there are no signs indicating an agreement in the near future, the United States will abandon efforts to push for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Trump also stated in an interview that he was prepared to stop mediation efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict if one side "makes reconciliation very difficult."

This article is an exclusive contribution by Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7495199024388030991/

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