President Zelensky says Russian attacks are continuing on several frontlines, hours after Vladimir Putin called a 30-hour “Easter truce”
In a post on X, Zelensky says if Russia is ready to engage in a “format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly – mirroring Russia’s actions”
Putin says he expects Ukraine to follow the truce until the end of Sunday, but Russian troops are ready to repel any violations Ukrainian troops were told to hold fire minutes after the truce was announced, a senior official told the BBC
Officials from both sides have accused each other of continuing air strikes in some areas – but they also say that in other places, things are quieter
Donald Trump has been frustrated with the Kremlin dragging its heels in his ceasefire negotiations. Now, the Kremlin can portray itself as the solution,
On Friday, both Russia and Ukraine are holding midnight Easter services. It’s unusual for this to happen, as this year Easter falls on the same day for both Orthodox and Western churches. This is due to a rare alignment of the Julian and Gregorian calendars, which are used by each church.
Ukraine had traditionally followed the Julian calendar, like Russia. But in a move away from Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky changed the law in July 2023. The Ukrainian president said this change allowed Ukrainians to “abandon the Russian heritage”.
