Russian President Vladimir Putin declared an “Easter truce” within the warfare in Ukraine on Saturday, saying that the Russian aspect will stop navy motion from 6 p.m. native Saturday night time till midnight April 21.
Putin mentioned he assumes that “the Ukrainian aspect will comply with our instance,” based on a press release on the Kremlin’s Telegram channel. However he additionally says Russia will reply to “violations of the truce and provocations” by Ukraine, the assertion mentioned.
In a press release Saturday, Zelenskyy didn’t say whether or not or not Ukraine would comply with the truce, however referred to as the proposal “one more try by Putin to play with human lives” and stating that there have been nonetheless Russian assaults being launched within the hour earlier than the Russian ceasefire was meant to take impact.
The proposed truce comes as U.S. officers, together with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, continued holding talks in Paris this week to debate ending the warfare in Ukraine. Rubio mentioned the talks had been “productive” however asserted that the U.S. was prepared to maneuver on from the negotiations in the event that they did not yield outcomes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures whereas chatting with Alexander Troufanov, Yelena Troufanova and Sapir Cohen, who had been launched from Hamas captivity, throughout their assembly on the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia, April 16, 2025.
Sofia Sandurskaya/Sputnik Through Ap
“We have to determine right here, now inside a matter of days, whether or not that is doable within the brief time period, as a result of if it isn’t, then I feel we’re simply going to maneuver on,” Rubio mentioned on the tarmac as he left France early Friday morning.
Later, on the White Home, President Donald Trump echoed Rubio’s assertion — saying that the U.S. would make a willpower “very shortly.”
Within the wake of Rubio’s public feedback, Moscow signaled it was in no hurry to strike a deal.
These developments additionally come as one potential indicator of progress — a 30-day ceasefire meant to pause strikes on vitality infrastructure targets—has expired, with no phrase from Putin on whether or not Moscow will restart assaults on these targets.
Each Russia and Ukraine have accused one another of repeatedly violating the settlement, which was brokered by the Trump administration final month.
This can be a creating story. Examine again for updates.
ABC Information’ Shannon Kingston contributed to this report.
