Zelenskyy Proposes 30-Day Ceasefire to Test Russia’s Intentions

Zelenskyy Calls for 30-Day Ceasefire Amid Continued Hostilities

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a 30-day ceasefire to halt strikes on civilian infrastructure, challenging Russia to demonstrate its commitment to peace. The call comes in the wake of Russia’s alleged violations of its own Easter ceasefire, which was declared unilaterally by Russian President Vladimir Putin but reportedly breached thousands of times.

Alleged Violations of Easter Ceasefire

On Saturday evening, Putin announced a temporary ceasefire to mark Orthodox Easter. However, Ukrainian forces reported nearly 3,000 violations of the truce by Russian troops, with the heaviest shelling occurring in the Pokrovsk region. Ukrainian soldiers described the day as “just another day of war,” with continued shelling and attempts to assault Ukrainian positions. Denys Bobkov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s 37th separate marine brigade, noted that “shelling from various types of weapons” persisted throughout the day. Despite the ceasefire, Ukrainian air raid alerts resumed as the truce expired at midnight on Sunday. Blasts were reported in the port city of Mykolaiv and other regions, while drone and missile strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in areas such as Dnipropetrovsk.

Zelenskyy’s Challenge to Russia

In response to the alleged violations, Zelenskyy proposed a 30-day halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure. “If Russia does not agree to such a step, it will be proof that it intends to continue doing only those things which destroy human lives and prolong the war,” Zelenskyy stated. He emphasized that Ukraine would respond symmetrically to Russian actions, maintaining silence if Russia ceased its attacks.

Zelenskyy also criticized Russia’s ceasefire announcement as a “PR exercise,” questioning whether Putin has full control over his military or if the Kremlin is genuinely interested in peace. “Actions always speak louder than words,” he remarked.

Continued Hostilities and International Reactions

As the ceasefire ended, reports of renewed hostilities emerged. Ukrainian forces issued air raid alerts for Kyiv and eastern regions, with blasts shaking Mykolaiv early Monday. In Dnipropetrovsk, a drone attack damaged civilian infrastructure, though no injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, the international community has urged Russia to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire. Slovenia, Denmark, France, Greece, and Britain issued a joint statement calling for an immediate halt to hostilities. However, Russia has rejected these calls, insisting on achieving its original war goals, including Ukraine’s “demilitarization” and non-NATO status.

Accusations Against China

Adding to the tensions, Zelenskyy accused China of supplying weapons to Russia and participating in weapons production on Russian territory. He stated that Ukraine would present documentation to support these claims. China has denied the accusations, describing them as “groundless.”

Future Prospects for Peace

Despite the ongoing violence, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to pursue a ceasefire and engage in peace talks. However, he expressed frustration with the lack of genuine commitment from Russia and criticized international media for focusing on Moscow’s religious ceremonies rather than pressuring the Kremlin to commit to peace.

As hostilities continue, the international community remains divided on how to achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict. While some advocate for immediate ceasefires, others emphasize the need for long-term agreements that address the root causes of the war.

Source: AFP, The Guardian, Reuters