A ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine brokered by the United States was set to expire Monday, with both countries accusing each other of violating the temporary 72 hour pause in fighting. According to The Associated Press, the truce was intended to run from Saturday through Monday, but reports from the ground suggest the fighting slowed rather than fully stopped.
Ukrainian officials said Russian drones, bombs and artillery continued to hit civilian areas in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions, killing at least two people and injuring several others, including a 14 year old boy. Russia’s Defence Ministry denied breaking the ceasefire and claimed its forces had strictly observed the agreement, while accusing Ukraine of repeated violations.
The Washington based Institute for the Study of War said satellite data showed military activity decreased after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire, but did not stop completely. The institute warned that temporary truces without clear enforcement, monitoring and dispute resolution systems are unlikely to hold.
Trump had described the ceasefire as a possible beginning of the end of the war and said it would include a prisoner exchange. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said preparations are underway for each side to exchange 1,000 prisoners, though major political obstacles remain. Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to seek control of the entire Donbas region, while Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will not surrender the territory.
European leaders are also weighing a larger role in future peace efforts. Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Europe should begin speaking directly with Russia, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas cautioned that European governments must first agree on their own objectives. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said U.S. leadership remains essential, but Europe can also play an important role in diplomacy.
Despite the stalled peace efforts, Ukraine says its position on the battlefield has improved after a difficult winter. Sybiha said Ukrainian forces have slowed Russia’s advance and used long range drones and missiles to strike deeper inside Russian territory. Zelenskyy also said several countries are now pursuing drone deals with Ukraine, giving Kyiv new sources of money, fuel and international support as the war continues.
