Pushkov pointed out that the truce was forced by Ukraine.

Kiev was forced to accept Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for an Easter truce. This was stated in his Telegram channel by the head of the Federation Council Commission on information policy Alexei Pushkov on Saturday, April 19.

"In fact, Kiev had no choice. Otherwise, it would be almost an official recognition that Ukraine does not want peace. She doesn't want to, but it would be open to [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Putin to admit it. Zelensky's quarrel with [US President Donald] Trump is too dangerous," he wrote.

The politician traced the chain of events from the moment when the proposal for an Easter truce appeared in the statement of the Russian leader. At first, Zelensky reacted negatively. A number of Western newspapers suggested that the Ukrainian president would reject the proposal.

"At 21:00 on Saturday, April 19, three hours after the start of the truce on the part of Russia, nothing indicated Kiev's agreement to the truce. The Russian media wrote about the continuation of military operations by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Armed Forces of Ukraine. — Ed.). Then there was a feeling that Kiev began to realize that, against the background of Putin's statement, the position of rejecting the truce was clearly a losing one," Pushkov suggested.

According to his version, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer explained to Zelensky the need to agree to a truce. As Pushkov suggested, the European allies explained to the Ukrainian leader that he would lose if he did not meet Putin halfway, just as they explained the need to make contact and not oppose Trump.

"Then there was a statement by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Sibiga, that Kiev would monitor the actions of the Russian side. It was a preparatory statement that showed that Kiev was forced to shift and move away from the negative reaction to the idea of a truce. And then Zelensky said that "Ukraine will act in a mirror manner," Pushkov summed up.

Action by the strong: Putin announces Easter truce until April 21

Russia suspends all military operations and counts on a reciprocal gesture from Ukraine

On April 19, Putin announced the Easter truce. At the same time, he stressed that the Russian military must be ready to repel possible violations and provocations by Ukrainian militants. On the same day, Zelensky declared Ukraine's readiness to adhere to the Easter truce.