"We Hope Ukraine Will Act Like Us, Silence in Response to Silence" – President Vladimir Putin

"We Hope Ukraine Will Act Like Us, Silence in Response to Silence" – President Vladimir Putin
April 20, 2025 —

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a short ceasefire in the Ukraine war for Easter, but Ukraine has reported that Russian forces have continued their attacks. The announcement came at a critical stage of the war, as U.S.-led peace talks have stalled.

Putin stated that from 6 p.m. Saturday (Moscow time) until midnight Monday (5 p.m. ET Sunday), “all military activity” would be halted.
“We hope Ukraine will act like us,” he said. According to Putin, the ceasefire would serve to test Kyiv’s sincerity — “silence in response to silence.”

However, within hours of the ceasefire taking effect, Ukraine claimed that Russian forces were still engaged in combat.
“According to the commander-in-chief, in several frontline areas Russia has continued its offensive and shelling,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a Saturday night address.

Zelensky added that Putin has yet to agree to the U.S.-proposed 30-day full ceasefire.
“If Russia truly wants silence, we will reciprocate — silence in response to silence, defense in response to attack,” he said.
“A 30-hour ceasefire may be enough for a headline, but not for peace. A 30-day ceasefire could create a real possibility for peace,” Zelensky added.

Putin’s surprise announcement came as Russia’s defense ministry claimed that it had pushed Ukrainian forces out of their final stronghold in Russia’s Kursk region — an area where Ukraine had launched a surprise offensive last year.

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, “Unfortunately, there is little alignment between Putin’s announcement and the reality on the ground. Russia could agree to a 30-day ceasefire at any time — that proposal has been on the table since March.”

Shortly after the announcement, Putin attended an Orthodox Easter service at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The service was led by Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a vocal supporter of the war.

However, Ukraine reported that the ceasefire had not been upheld in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions.
“Russian drone attacks continue. While some areas are relatively calmer, the strikes have not stopped,” said Zelensky.

“Shelling continues, and civilians are once again under attack. This proves that nothing is sacred to Russia,” said Kherson regional administrator Oleksandr Prokudin.

Meanwhile, one of the largest prisoner exchanges of the war took place on Saturday.
According to Zelensky, 277 Ukrainian soldiers returned home. Russia said it had exchanged the same number of Russian troops for 246 Ukrainian prisoners. Additionally, as a “gesture of goodwill,” Russia released 31 wounded Ukrainians in exchange for 15 injured Russian soldiers.

Is There Still Hope for Peace?
U.S.-led peace efforts remain stalled. On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that if there’s no progress, the U.S. may withdraw from the effort “within days.”