Kremlin responds to Easter ceasefire proposal from Ukraine
Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian president (photo: Getty Images)
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said no clear initiative on an Easter ceasefire had been voiced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to Russian outlet RIA Novosti and a report by the Institute for the Study of War.
"He, as always, spoke about readiness and desire to move toward a ceasefire, any kind, even an Easter one. We once again repeat: Zelenskyy must take responsibility and make appropriate decisions so that we move toward peace, not a ceasefire," Peskov said.
Zelenskyy's statement on Easter ceasefire
Yesterday, March 30, the Ukrainian president answered a question whether Kyiv would propose an Easter ceasefire to the aggressor state and what international guarantees would be needed to ensure that Russia "does not use the pause to strengthen its military positions."
"We have supported any formats of ending war, you know this, but when you do not lose dignity and independence of our state, and ceasefire, any formats, as we have already said today, both full and energy-related, and we are ready for a ceasefire during the Easter holidays," he emphasized.
Commenting on possible risks of an aggressor state strengthening its military positions during the Easter ceasefire, Zelenskyy noted that "in two or three days they will not be able to strengthen anything."
Kremlin not interested in ceasefire
Institute for the Study of War, in its report, emphasized that Ukraine continues to offer concessions and demonstrate readiness for negotiations with Russia. At the same time, the Kremlin demonstrates its lack of interest in a ceasefire or negotiations on ending the war.
"Zelenskyy continues to make concessions and demonstrate Ukraine's willingness to engage in diplomatic dialogue and commit to an unconditional ceasefire, while Russia continues to demonstrate that it is uninterested in a ceasefire or in good faith negotiations to end the war," the report says.
It is noted that Russia's Council of Foreign Affairs Committee Chairperson, Grigory Karasin, responding to Zelenskyy's words about Easter ceasefire, said that statements of the Ukrainian president "should not be taken seriously."
Ahead of Easter in 2025, the Russian president announced a so-called Easter ceasefire, which was supposed to last just over a day, but fighting did not fully stop.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during last year's Easter ceasefire, Russia violated it 2,935 times.
The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, said that Ukraine and Russia may conduct a large prisoner exchange on Easter. According to him, everything necessary will be done to carry out such an exchange.
