Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has officially stated that Kyiv is fully prepared to take reciprocal actions if the Russian Federation strictly observes a temporary ceasefire during the upcoming Easter holidays. This statement comes amidst ongoing discussions about a potential holiday truce, aimed at providing civilians with a much-needed respite from the relentless threat of strikes.
According to the head of Ukraine’s diplomatic corps, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal for an Easter ceasefire remains highly viable. “Ukrainians deserve a festive day entirely free from terror. We will carefully monitor where and when the silence takes effect, and we are absolutely ready to respond in kind,” Sybiha emphasized. This “mirror” approach means the Ukrainian Armed Forces will refrain from firing operations as long as the opposing forces do the same.
Expanding on broader strategic implications, the Minister underscored that Ukraine’s ultimate goal is to reach a point where resuming hostilities is no longer necessary. He argued that a prolonged ceasefire could serve as a crucial stepping stone, opening the pathway to genuine diplomatic efforts aimed at concluding the conflict. Sybiha expressed unwavering confidence that Russia will never emerge victorious in this war and must eventually halt its aggression. In his view, a ceasefire represents a sound strategy to advance diplomatic negotiations.
The context for this maneuvering was set when the Russian side announced its intention to implement a temporary regime of silence, scheduled to run from 16:00 on April 11 until the end of the day on April 12.
Addressing the initiative earlier, President Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is consistently open to measures that preserve lives. The President pointed out that a strictly limited timeframe for an Easter truce would not provide either side with a significant tactical advantage on the battlefield. The brief duration makes it impossible to drastically alter frontline positions or redeploy substantial reserves. However, such a pause could serve as a vital humanitarian gesture and a tentative first step toward a comprehensive, just peace settlement. By agreeing to mirror the ceasefire, Ukraine once again demonstrates to the international community its steadfast commitment to peace, provided it aligns with the principles of justice and international law.