In Ukraine, Putin’s Words Ring Hollow as the War Drags On

KYIV, Ukraine—On Tuesday, the guns fell silent along the front lines in eastern Ukraine. In a rare respite from violence for the nearly 4-year-old conflict, not a single cease-fire violation occurred during a 24-hour period.

At face value, Tuesday’s lull in fighting could be seen as good news. Perhaps even a bellwether for long-term peace when considered against the backdrop of some other events over the past few weeks.

For one, on Dec. 27, Ukrainian and combined Russian-separatist forces successfully swapped hundreds of prisoners, and talks are underway for another exchange later this year.