Zelensky: Fighting continues despite Putin's ceasefire!

Zelensky: Fighting continues despite Putin's ceasefire!

As of April 20, 2025, the situation on the front between Russia and Ukraine remains tense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported ongoing fighting on Russian soil, despite a 30-hour ceasefire announced by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. This ceasefire is scheduled to last until midnight on Easter Sunday, but fighting remains intense in the Russian border regions of Kursk and Belgorod as Ukraine makes military advances there.

Zelenskyy admits that the situation has calmed down in some areas. Nevertheless, he adds, Russian attacks continue in the affected regions and Ukrainian military information is not currently independently verifiable. In Ukraine, Russian artillery remains active on many sectors of the front, and the use of drones can also still be observed.

Ceasefire and military developments

Zelensky underlines Ukraine's readiness for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and calls on the international community to assess the reduction in the intensity and brutality of attacks to find out who is really responsible for the war. In a statement, the president expects new information from the front that night that will provide information about the current status of the fighting.

Putin's announced ceasefire is an attempt to temporarily contain the military conflicts, but the reality on the front appears to overshadow the announcement. Ukrainian forces continue their operational efforts, while the use of Russian artillery and drones continues despite the announced ceasefire.

Western perspectives and possible scenarios

Western governments had long assessed Ukraine's resilience as low. Before the fighting began, NATO and the EU were of the opinion that Ukraine would surrender in the event of an attack by Russia. This misjudgment led to a decision not to supply arms to Ukraine at the beginning of the conflict. The then Federal Minister Robert Habeck reiterated that Germany would not supply weapons to Ukraine, which reflected a cross-party consensus based on pacifist considerations and economic interests.

Given the unexpectedly strong Ukrainian resistance, public pressure is growing on Western governments to reconsider previous policies and possibly take more comprehensive military and economic measures to support Ukraine. The discussion about possible future scenarios for the Ukraine conflict is becoming more and more relevant, especially the possibility of a military victory or the exhaustion of both parties.

Three scenarios are currently being discussed that could affect the possible course of the war and its conclusion: a Russian victory, a negotiated peace through exhaustion or even the collapse of the regime in Russia. The latter could be brought about by internal tensions and economic difficulties and could enable sustainable peace in the long term.

The conflict therefore remains a far-reaching geopolitical problem that has both military and social implications far beyond Ukraine. The international community is faced with the challenge of finding answers to the questions arising from the unresolved situation.

For more information on the West's complex background and options for action, take a look at the analysis of bpb.de, which highlights various scenarios for ending the war in Ukraine.

For the latest developments and reports from Ukraine visit vienna.at, where current events and reactions from political leaders are summarized.