Yevgeny Pavlov, 58, said he did not think Russia should give Ukraine a breather. “I do not believe in Ukraine. There will be no such truce, there will be shelling and so on,” he told AFP. “There is no need to give a respite. If we press, it means we should press to the end.”
“Russians Doubt Putin’s Easter Ceasefire as Ukraine Reports Renewed Attacks”
Moscow, Russia —
President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a 30-hour Easter ceasefire with Ukraine has sparked skepticism among Moscow residents, with many questioning its purpose and effectiveness.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kyiv would honor the unexpected truce. However, he accused Russian forces of already violating the agreement through continued air and ground attacks.
In southern Moscow, few locals believed the ceasefire would bring any real progress in the conflict, now entering its third year.
“I don’t think it will change anything,” said 61-year-old pensioner Svetlana, who declined to share her full name. “This truce won’t amount to anything, because Ukraine won’t stick to it.”
Another resident, 85-year-old Maria Goranina, echoed the distrust. “They’ll just regroup and attack again,” she said. “I only wish we could find lasting peace.”
Last month, Putin rejected a U.S.-backed proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, even after Ukraine had agreed. U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Friday that he might abandon efforts to mediate if there’s no significant progress.
Svetlana also questioned the rationale behind the pause in fighting.
“Three years of war — so many lives lost, people injured or displaced. We’ve taken parts of Ukraine… is that it? What was the point then?”
Since the invasion in February 2022, the Kremlin has heavily restricted dissent. Criticizing the military campaign can result in harsh penalties, including lengthy prison sentences under strict censorship laws.
‘No Need for a Break’
Putin described the ceasefire as a “humanitarian gesture.” But Russia’s military has kept up momentum, claiming to have recaptured a village in the Kursk border region—previously seized by Ukrainian forces during a bold counteroffensive last August. Ukraine now holds only a small area there, while Russian troops have reportedly advanced further into the northeastern Sumy region.
Uncertainty has also grown around U.S. support for Ukraine, especially with Trump back in the White House. Without American military and financial aid, Kyiv could struggle to hold the line.
The shift has strengthened Russia’s position and confidence on the battlefield.
Yevgeny Pavlov, 58, voiced opposition to any pause.
“I don’t trust Ukraine. There won’t be a real ceasefire—there’ll be shelling, like always,” he said. “We shouldn’t stop now. If we’re pressing forward, then we should press to the end.”