The Ukrainian government has labelled a 30-day ceasefire announced by Russian leader Vladimir Putin as nothing but an exercise in propaganda.

Putin said the Easter truce he announced yesterday, and which is set to end on Tuesday, was established for “humanitarian reasons”.

However, Ukranainian forces have said that nothing has changed on the ground and that Russian troops continue to advance despite this declaration of peace.

Former investigative journalist for the BBC John Sweeney told The Anton Savage Show that there is only one person falling for Russia's propaganda.

“The Ukrainians are saying that there is no ceasefire, the Russians have broken it,” he said.

“There have been drone attacks in Kherson and against the Kyiv county, but no matter, this stops on Tuesday.

“Essentially, there is only one viewer to this Russian propaganda, and that’s Donald Trump.

“What’s weird about Donald Trump is he trusts no one apart from Vladimir Putin, and Vladimir Putin is a serial liar and killer.”

Russian President at left with US President Donald Trump during the G20 meeting in Japan, 28 June 2019. Photo: White House

Mr Sweeney said it is possible that Trump will blame the Ukrainians for not upholding the ceasefire and use it as an excuse to drop sanctions against Russia.

“My reading of what’s about to happen is that Trump [will say], ‘Well, listen, I gave you a chance for peace, you’re not serious, so I’m lifting the sanctions against Russia’,” he said.

“Now, that isn’t quite the gold star for the Kremlin that Trump and Putin may believe, because the Europeans have got purchase on this, as has the American congress.

“Trump can’t do this on his own and there are enough pro-Ukrainian Republicans, and there is more than enough sentiment or real passion in Europe to say to Trump, ‘No, don’t do this’.”

'He looks a fool'

According to Mr Sweeney, Trump’s strategy thus far may backfire on him down the line.

“I can see a position where the Ukrainians still keep on fighting because they’re determined not to become a Russian colony, that Europe gets its act together and starts rearming Ukraine in a stronger way,” he said.

“Ukraine is such a big country, they can afford to lose hundreds of miles and still have a strong Ukraine, Kyiv at the capital.

“Then what’s happening is the American economy is in trouble and Trump looks even a bigger fool.

“He looks a fool on the economy right now, he’s about to look a fool on Ukraine and the issue of the rule of law and Magna Carta and all that stands for, he’s on trouble on that front too as well.”

Mr Sweeney said things “look bleak” for Ukraine at the moment, but there is some promise for the future.

Main image: A child is seen with a Ukrainian flag in Vilnius, Lithuania. Picture by: Michele Ursi / Alamy Stock Photo