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 20:53, UK
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
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 Zelenksyy 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.
Despite Vladimir Putin announcing Russia will cease “all military operations” for 30 hours, a Ukrainian official has claimed hostilities are continuing.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s centre for countering disinformation, said Russian forces were continuing to open fire despite Putin’s announcement.
“The Russians are trying to pretend that they are peacekeepers, but they already refused an unconditional ceasefire on 11 March and are now conducting an information operation, talking about a truce but continuing to shoot without stopping,” he said in a post on Telegram.
“This is all with the aim of blaming Ukraine.”
It’s a theme that’s rumbled on throughout the war, with both sides accusing each other of violating various agreements.
Most recently, Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of breaching an agreement not to strike energy facilities – something Russia said has now ended.
We’ve been telling you about Russia and Ukraine swapping hundreds of prisoners this afternoon in the war’s largest exchange (see 4.21pm post).
We can now bring you pictures of Ukrainian prisoners celebrating in an undisclosed location after the swap.
A total of 277 Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity – a figure which includes 31 wounded prisoners of war which were transferred in exchange for 15 wounded Russian servicemen in need of urgent medical care.
Russia’s defence ministry said 246 Russian servicemen were returned “from the territory controlled by the Kyiv regime”.
It’s 6pm in the UK, 8pm in Moscow and Kyiv.
If you’re just joining us, it’s been a busy few hours of updates in our live page. Here’s everything you need to know:
Stay with us as we bring you more updates and analysis throughout the evening.
Vladimir Putin’s Easter truce could be down to the Russian president needing a “very short respite” to lay the ground for a new huge strike, the chair of Ukraine’s foreign affairs committee has said.
Speaking to Sky’s Barbara Serra, Oleksandr Merezhko pointed to Russia’s recent strike on Kharkiv which has left more than 100 people injured.
Asked whether recent pressure from Donald Trump’s administration could have played a part in the announcement from the Kremlin, Merezhko said it’s hard to say.
Watch the full interview in the video below
“The thing that is the truth is the Trump initially offered a ceasefire proposal, Ukraine agreed unconditionally,” he said.
“Then Trump offered a partial ceasefire proposal and Ukraine agreed again, whereas Russia has virtually rejected the proposals.”
Merezhko stated that Trump promised to use sanctions to punish Russia if they don’t agree to a ceasefire plan, but said “nothing is going on”.
“Ukraine agrees, Russian rejects. There is absolutely no reaction from Trump,” he added.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free