Putin then accused the Western defensive alliance, Nato, of trying to gain a foothold in Ukraine to bring its troops closer to Russia's borders. As he responded to Putin's truce announcement, Zelensky urged Russia to commit to a 30-day ceasefire rather than a 30-hour pause.

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,

Ukraine said it would reciprocate any genuine ceasefire by Moscow, but voiced skepticism after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter truce in Ukraine starting Saturday.