Key developments on April 22: * Explosions rock what could be one of Russia's largest weapons arsenals in Vladimir Oblast * Putin offers US to freeze Ukraine war along current front line, FT reports * Zelensky rules out recognizing Crimea as Russian, warns against playing into Putin's 'game' * Russia used Easter truce to
This could be the first formal indication from Russian President Vladimir Putin since the full-scale war began in 2022 that Russia may consider scaling back its territorial demands.
"This so-called truce did more damage to us," Anastasiia Blyshchyk, spokesperson for Ukraine's 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said.
"The Easter truce that Putin announced, somewhat unexpectedly, was more of a PR move — a charm offensive intended to prevent President Trump from becoming impatient or upset," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.
Russia was the first to declare an Easter ceasefire starting at 6 p.m. local time on April 19 and ending at midnight on April 21. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of nearly 3,000 ceasefire breaches during that period.
The attack targeted a residential building in a densely populated neighborhood, according to local authorities. At least three people were injured.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to "negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side" regarding a ceasefire. Russia and Ukraine have not held direct talks since early 2022.
As U.S. President Donald Trump is pursuing rapprochement with Russia, the country's embassy in Kyiv is facing internal strain. Following the change in administration, Bridget Brink, who had been the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine since 2022, was put in the hot seat. Brink attempted to align with the
"Ukraine maintains its offer not to strike at least at civilian infrastructure. And we expect a clear answer from Moscow," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 21.
Key developments on April 21: * Ukraine, US, UK, France to meet in London on April 23 for peace talks, Zelensky says * Russia announces 'resumption' of hostilities after Easter ceasefire as Kyiv reports violations * Ukraine strikes Russian drone launch site in Kursk Oblast, killing up to 20 operators, General Staff says
"We are ready to move forward as constructively as possible, just as we have done before, to achieve an unconditional ceasefire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Russia and Ukraine could reach a war-ending deal "this week," as his team threatens that Washington could ditch the peace talks efforts if no step is taken in the near future. "Both will then start to do big business with the United States
"I will be giving you full details over the next three days, but we had very good meetings on Ukraine, Russia," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
The chair of the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee compared the potential decision to Western appeasement of Adolf Hitler that led to World War II.
Russian forces used artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, and drones to target Ukrainian positions in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, said Andrii Demchenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service.
President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of nearly 3,000 ceasefire violations during the supposed Easter truce.
It has been nearly 100 days since Donald Trump returned to the U.S. presidency and Russian missiles continue to rain down on Ukrainian civilians. Despite Trump’s pledge to end the war on “day one,” peace is nowhere in sight. When will the administration acknowledge that it is failing?
Ukrainian units in the Kharkiv Oblast have maintained a strictly defensive posture, responding only to direct Russian attacks to defend troops and hold the line, according to the Khartiia Brigade.
Among the most controversial elements is the suggestion that the U.S. could formally recognize Russia’s claim over Crimea. Additionally, Ukrainian accession to NATO would be ruled out under the current proposal.
"We hope that the truce will lead to de-escalation of tensions and will allow moving on to a diplomatic settlement," the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Ukraine proposes to abandon any strikes with long-range drones and missiles on civilian infrastructure for a period of at least 30 days with the possibility of extension," Zelensky said on April 20, amid the so-called "Easter truce."
"We remain committed to achieving a full and comprehensive ceasefire," a U.S. State Department spokesperson said on April 20.
Key developments on April 19-20: * Multiple Russian ceasefire violations reported from front line during Easter ceasefire, Zelensky says * Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia * Ukraine advances in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, Zelensky says * Republican US Congressman Fitzpatrick visits Ukraine’s front line, signs a shell for Putin * Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has given no orders to extend the so-called "Easter truce" beyond midnight on April 21, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Russian state news agency TASS.
"It's like going on a hunger strike between breakfast and lunch and secretly eating candy," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told CNN Prima News.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an Easter truce starting on April 19, claiming that it would "test Ukraine's sincerity in pursuing peace talks," but across the front line, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent they have yet to see any sign of it. The "Easter ceasefire" was supposed to
"I turned on the emergency lights, got out of the car, and started waving my arms to show that I was a civilian," Tkachov told Ukrainska Pravda.
The military reported 67 Russian assaults on Ukrainian positions, 1,355 instances of shelling, and 673 uses of Russian first-person-view (FPV) drones.
The president said that at least 67 Ukrainian priests, pastors, and monks have been killed or tortured by Russian forces, and that 640 religious sites—most of them Christian—have been destroyed since the start of the full-scale invasion.
"Ukraine has committed to a full ceasefire. We urge Russia to do the same."
"Thirty hours is enough for headlines, but not for real confidence-building measures," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "Thirty days can give peace a chance."
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