The Kremlin claims the temporary ceasefire will last until the end of Sunday, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian artillery fire „has not subsided“.
Saturday 19 April 2025 22:35, UK
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Earlier, we brought you an update from Volodymyr Zelenskyy who said he would be speaking to his commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi about the situation on the frontline (see 7.25pm post).
Zelenskyy has now shared that update on social media, with Syrskyi reporting a continuation of hostilities in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, with Russian strikes ongoing.
„Russian artillery can still be heard in certain directions of the front, regardless of the Russian leader’s promise of silence,“ the report said.
„Russian drones are in use. In some areas, the situation has become quieter.“
Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine’s actions will be „symmetrical“ to what Russia chooses to do.
„Ukraine, together with our partners, is ready to move toward peace as constructively as possible, but same readiness is required from Russia,“ he added.
Easter is the most important date on the Orthodox calendar, with millions of Russians due to celebrate the festival this weekend.
It’s so important that Vladimir Putin claimed he is willing to cease hostilities with Ukraine so that his people can enjoy the weekend without fighting.
These images show an Orthodox priest blessing traditional Easter cakes and painted eggs at a church in St Petersburg.
Vladimir Putin’s seemingly spontaneous 30-hour „Easter truce“ ceasefire announcement has dominated our coverage this afternoon.
But there’s one key question emerging – why has he chosen to do this now?
Watch this report from our Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett below.
We’ve been bringing you updates after Vladimir Putin announced a 30-hour „Easter truce“ in Ukraine this afternoon.
The declaration came during a meeting between the Russian president and the chief of the country’s general staff.
We can now take you to the heart of those discussions, with these pictures showing Putin meeting Valery Gerasimov in Moscow.
Vladimir Putin’s „Easter truce“ comes as Donald Trump is growing weary and tired of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, our US correspondent Martha Kelner has said.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Trump 100 podcast, Kelner explained that Trump has apparently been ranting to his aides in private, claiming that negotiations are „going nowhere“.
„He wants all of this fixed overnight, he wants a deal done yesterday,“ she said.
„He’s been putting pressure on Marco Rubio and his special envoy Steve Witkoff to try and get all of this done faster.“
Kelner added that we’re now seeing this through public messaging, with Trump saying the US will „take a pass“ on brokering further peace talks if Moscow or Kyiv „make it very difficult“ to reach a deal.
But there’s also the more positive news that Ukraine and the US have taken the first steps towards striking a long-awaited minerals deal – something we told you about earlier in our 8.40am post.
Listen to the latest episode of the Trump 100 podcast below.
You can also follow the podcast here, so you never miss an episode.
With Vladimir Putin declaring an „Easter truce“ this afternoon, we’ve also been telling you about the hundreds of prisoners Russia and Ukraine have exchanged.
It’s the war’s largest exchange of prisoners – take a look at our 4.21pm post for the breakdown of the numbers.
Watch the video below to see footage of the exchange taking place.
We’ve got some more international reaction to bring you now after Vladimir Putin’s „Easter truce“ announcement.
Czech Republic’s foreign affairs minister Jan Lipavsky has urged people not to fall for the Russian president’s „propaganda“.
„Air raid sirens across Ukraine just minutes after the so-called Easter truce was announced show how serious Putin really is,“ he said.
„Ukraine accepted the ceasefire a month ago, Putin keeps sabotaging every step towards peace.“
More to bring you from Volodymyr Zelenskyy now, who has proposed extending a pause in fighting beyond tomorrow.
As we’ve explained, Vladimir Putin’s „Easter truce“ is set to be in place for 30 hours after coming into effect at 4pm UK time this afternoon.
But Zelenskyy said if the truce did hold – something he went on to cast doubt over – it should be extended beyond tomorrow.
„That is what will reveal Russia’s true intentions – because 30 hours is enough to make headlines, but not for genuine confidence-building measures, he said“
Zelenskyy added that a 30-day pause „could give peace a chance“.
He did, however, state that Russian artillery fire has not subsided, adding he has „no trust in words coming from Moscow“ (see previous post).
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia’s assault operation is continuing on „several frontline sectors“ despite Vladimir Putin’s „Easter truce“.
The Ukrainian president said Russian artillery fire has not subsided, and therefore there is „no trust in words coming from Moscow“.
„We know all too well how Moscow manipulates, and we are prepared for anything,“ he wrote in a statement on X.
„Ukraine’s defence forces will act rationally – responding in kind. Every Russian strike will be met with an appropriate response.“
Zelenskyy: Ukraine will mirror Russia’s actions
Zelenskyy said he is expecting detailed updates later this evening from commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi following his conversations with brigade commanders and other frontline units.
He also explained that if Russia is now „suddenly ready to truly engage“ in a ceasefire, Ukraine will act accordingly, mirroring Russia’s actions.
„Silence in response to silence, defensive strikes in response to attacks,“ he added.
Donald Trump’s administration will fail in its bid to broker a ceasefire if it doesn’t press Russia to agree to one, a former US ambassador to Ukraine has said.
Steven Pifer told Sky’s Kamali Melbourne that Trump’s claims he could end the war in just 24 hours suggested he „really did not understand the complexities“.
„If there’s going to be a genuine effort by the Trump administration to end this war, it’s going to take a focused, diplomatic approach, concentration and patience,“ he said.
Pifer explained that those aren’t notable traits of the US president.
„I worry that he may not have been serious about this effort, it may have been a charade.“
Watch the full interview in the video below.
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Ukraine war latest: Putin announces 'Easter truce' – but Zelenskyy says Russia is already breaching it – Sky News
