In a bid to solidify peace efforts, Ukraine has proposed extending a ceasefire beyond Easter Sunday, with President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizing that a mere thirty hours is insufficient for meaningful confidence-building measures.
Zelensky suggested that a thirty-day ceasefire could provide a real opportunity for peace.
This came after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared an ‘Easter truce’, ordering a halt to military action from 6 p.m. Moscow time on April 19 until midnight on April 21.
The announcement prompted a response from Ukraine, with a senior military officer stating that orders were received to cease fire on Russian positions mere minutes after the truce began, although these claims remain unverified by the Kyiv Independent.
Further complicating the situation, President Zelensky reported military advancements in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, stating that Ukrainian forces had increased their control in the region.
This development was backed by insights from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, leading Zelensky to express a sense of progress in the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted in Kyiv as police confronted far-right protesters during an LGBTQ+ film festival, with organizer Bohdan Zhuk revealing that the festival had received threats ahead of the event.
On a legislative front, a Ukrainian official indicated that martial law could be lifted if the war concludes by August, citing that the Verkhovna Rada has the authority to cancel it even amidst pending decisions requiring its continuation.
Reactions to Putin’s ceasefire announcement were layered with skepticism from Zelensky, underscoring the ongoing complexities surrounding trust in the proposed truce.
In another grim turn of events, reports indicated that at least 120 individuals were injured during a Russian missile strike in Kharkiv on Good Friday, with 18 victims requiring hospitalization, including four children.
In a significant development, Ukraine successfully brought home 277 prisoners of war in a major swap with Russia, a move mediated by the United Arab Emirates, according to President Zelensky.
Additionally, Iran has taken legal action at the International Court of Justice against Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, and the UK, relating to the 2020 downing of the PS752 flight, seeking to overturn an earlier ruling by the International Civil Aviation Organization that placed the responsibility on Tehran.
Throughout the ongoing struggle, Russian attacks have persisted, with the Ukrainian Air Force reporting six injuries from recent bombardments, including missile deployments and long-range drone strikes.
In a significant show of support for Ukraine, U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick visited the front lines, calling for his fellow lawmakers to witness the situation firsthand.
Amidst these developments, Russian troops are reportedly preparing to advance towards Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast, solidifying their presence in Kalynove for a potential escalation in military actions.
The growing casualty figures have raised concerns, with the General Staff of Ukraine reporting that Russia has lost approximately 940,150 troops since the conflict escalated on February 24, 2022, highlighting the toll the ongoing war continues to take.
In Moldova, political dynamics are shifting as the parliament voted to hold fall elections on September 28, potentially jeopardizing the pro-EU majority currently held by President Maia Sandu’s party.
On the international stage, the U.S. is reported to have formulated a preliminary plan to monitor a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, following recent discussions in Paris regarding the framework for ensuring compliance if a comprehensive ceasefire is achieved.
As the conflict continues, Russian missile attacks have resulted in blackouts across Sumy Oblast, coinciding with the expiration of a previously announced energy truce by Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
In response to regional security concerns, Lithuania has announced plans to strengthen its border infrastructure, particularly focusing on the strategically important Suwałki Gap, seen as a potential target for future Russian aggression against NATO.
In a move reflecting the crackdown on dissent, Russian authorities have sentenced a young activist, Darya Kozyreva, to a penal colony for quoting a Ukrainian poet and criticizing the war, illustrating the state of political repression in Russia.
In a controversial potential move, the Trump administration has reportedly considered recognizing Russian control of Crimea as part of a peace deal, a gesture that would mark a significant diplomatic concession to Russia and bolster Putin’s long-sought legitimacy regarding the territory.
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