The location at an overview: Easter fire break in Ukraine – hope for extension

After Moscow’s announcement of a fire break at Easter, Kyiv proposed an extension by 30 days. During the night, the soldiers of the two warring parties watched to react immediately to any violations of the fire break. Both sides accused each other of repeatedly attacking opposing positions. According to Moscow’s explanation, Kiev had emphasized that they would be based on the behavior of the Russian side. “Silence (the weapons) in return for silence, defense strikes in response to attacks,” emphasized Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj on the X.

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin surprisingly proclaimed a short fire break for Easter on Holy Saturday in his war against Ukraine and granted appropriate commands to the troops. The fire break should therefore apply 30 hours – from early Saturday evening to midnight (local time) on Easter Sunday.

After initial skepticism, the Ukrainian President Selenskyj reacted with a counter -proposal and brought an extension of the fire break by 30 days. “If the full fire break actually lasts, Ukraine suggests an extension beyond April 20,” wrote Selenskyj on the platform X. “That would show Russia’s true intentions – because 30 hours are enough for headlines, but not for real confidence -building measures,” added the president. “30 days would give peace a chance.”

Selenskyj: Continue fighting on Russian soil

Despite the fire break, Selenskyj reported on the Russian soil on the Russian soil and artillery shot along the front in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the situation has calmed down in some areas.

The fire break announced by Putin therefore referred to the front in Ukraine. Selenskyj reported, citing the commander -in -chief of the Ukrainian military, in the Russian border regions of Kursk and Belgorod – where Ukraine has made advances on Russian soil – is further fought. There are also Russian attacks there. Kiev’s military information could initially not be checked independently.

According to Selenskyjs Post, the Russian artillery was heard on some front sections in Ukraine itself. Russian drones are also still in use. The Ukrainian military will behave as it is demonstrated by Russia.

The general staff in Kiev reported that there were a total of 107 armed clashes along the fronts on Saturday, plus Russian artillery and air strikes. However, the statistics spread on Facebook did not show whether and how many fighting there was after the fire break came into force.

The Russian military also reported violations and armed provocations of the Ukrainians. Especially with Cherson in the south of Ukraine, there were more violent clashes.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister to Putin: “30 hours instead of 30 days”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha, meanwhile, also critically commented on the 30-hour break of fire at Easter. In a post on X, he recalled that Ukraine had approved the US proposal for a 30-day break in Peace Singing in Dschidda in early March. However, Russia rejected and instead provided a number of preconditions.

“30 hours instead of 30 days,” summarized Sybiha Putin’s offer. Unfortunately, the Russian mismatch between explanations and facts is known. “We know that we cannot trust his words and that we look at the deeds, and not the words.” In his opinion, Moscow could agree to a 30-day fire break at any time.

Increasing pressure from Washington

The Ministry of Defense in Moscow announced that the ceasefire would be introduced for humanitarian reasons. The background to this decision was initially unclear. Putin had already ordered his troops to his troops in January 2023 for his troops a healing fire at the fronts in Ukraine.

Most recently, Washington had increased the pressure on the warring parties to agree to the recording of peace talks soon. US President Donald Trump made it clear that he wants to see quick progress so that the war in Ukraine soon ends – otherwise his government could hire her efforts. He wanted to see an agreement “very soon”, said Trump in the White House. He did not specify how many days meant. The US President emphasized that if the compromise on both sides is lacking, he was not interested in continuing his mediation efforts.

And take fire break “to note”

The United Nations took note of the fire break announced by Moscow without comment, as Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for UN General Secretary António Guterres said. “We have repeatedly challenged a permanent ceasefire in Ukraine and confirm our support for sensible efforts to make a fair, permanent and comprehensive peace, which fully truth the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the relevant UN-Resolations.”