Russia has offered to help de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. In a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s readiness to support a political resolution. Lavrov had earlier held similar discussions with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Sunday that Russia has enough power and resources to bring the war in Ukraine to a "logical conclusion" without the use of nuclear weapons. Reflecting on his 25 years in power, Putin said, "I do not consider myself a politician. I still breathe the same air as millions of Russians." Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration over the lack of progress in peace talks to end the war.

Ukraine launched a large-scale overnight attack using 183 drones and two ballistic missiles on various Russian targets, including Novorossiysk port in the Black Sea. The attack damaged a grain terminal and several residential buildings, injuring at least five people, including two children. Novorossiysk’s mayor declared a state of emergency following the assault.

In a humanitarian gesture marking Easter Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine from Saturday 6 PM to Sunday 6 PM local time. His forces were instructed to suspend all military operations during this period. While Ukraine has yet to respond officially, Putin stated, “We hope Ukraine will reciprocate. However, our forces must remain ready to respond to any provocations or violations.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with recently freed hostage Alexander Trufanov and his family in the Kremlin. He attributed Trufanov’s release to Russia’s longstanding relationship with the Palestinian people and expressed hope for more such humanitarian successes. Putin publicly thanked Hamas’ political leadership for heeding Russia’s request and facilitating the release.

Despite ongoing wartime turbulence, the Russian ruble has outperformed all global currencies, becoming the best-performing currency against the US dollar in 2025. According to Bloomberg data, the ruble has appreciated by 38% since the start of the year. This surge is largely attributed to declining confidence in the US dollar, exacerbated by former President Trump’s global trade conflicts.

Investment returns on the ruble have surpassed those of the Swedish krona and Swiss franc, which appreciated by 13% and 11% respectively. The British pound also recorded a modest gain of around 6%. Meanwhile, gold and silver prices have risen by 23% and 12%, respectively. The ruble’s remarkable performance has been bolstered by Russia’s high interest rates—currently set at 21% by the central bank—and restrictions on capital outflow for foreign companies.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated in an interview that Moscow has thoroughly reviewed the US ceasefire proposal but cannot accept it in its current form. According to Russia, the proposal fails to address key concerns that led to the conflict. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, following its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Former US President Donald Trump had previously threatened severe sanctions on Russian oil if Moscow violated agreements.

Russia’s Supreme Court has confirmed receiving a request from the Prosecutor General’s Office to lift sanctions on the Taliban, who were designated a terrorist organization in 2003. The court will review the request.

Meanwhile, Taliban representatives have been participating in various forums hosted in Moscow. Under Russian law, any contact with terrorist organizations is a punishable offense. However, Russian officials have emphasized the need to engage with the Taliban for Afghanistan’s stability, sidestepping concerns about potential contradictions in their policy.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration over Vladimir Putin’s stance on the Ukraine war, hinting at imposing a 25% to 50% tariff on Russian oil. In an interview with NBC News, he also threatened airstrikes on Iran and dismissed any plans to militarily control Greenland. Before finalizing any agreements, he urged the Russian President to support a UN-led government in Ukraine. Trump criticized Putin’s comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s credibility, stating that a lack of new leadership would mean no long-term peace deal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to the Muslim community in Russia. In a statement, he described Eid as an ancient and significant festival symbolizing spiritual growth, kindness, and compassion. He also acknowledged the Muslim community’s contributions to charitable, educational, and national projects. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin also extended his best wishes to Russian Muslims on this occasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the United States' new administration is taking its plans to seize Greenland seriously. Former US President Donald Trump had previously claimed that acquiring Greenland was essential for Washington’s 'international security.' Putin cautioned that underestimating the US’s ambitions regarding Greenland would be a grave mistake. He pointed out that these plans have deep historical roots. While Russia is not directly involved in the territorial claims over Greenland, Moscow is concerned that NATO countries are increasingly strategizing to use the Arctic region in potential conflicts.

On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange involving 175 individuals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the released prisoners included severely wounded soldiers and fighters who had been falsely imprisoned in Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the exchange, mentioning that they had released 22 severely injured Ukrainian prisoners as a goodwill gesture, though the original plan was to release 23. Zelensky expressed gratitude to the UAE for mediating the exchange.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has accused European nations of escalating tensions and prolonging the war in Ukraine rather than seeking peace.

She pointed out that Germany and France have publicly admitted to violating the 2014-2015 Minsk agreements concerning eastern Ukraine. Additionally, she claimed that Britain discouraged Ukraine from engaging in negotiations with Russia in March 2022.

Zakharova warned that any move to establish foreign military bases in Ukraine would be deemed unacceptable by Russia.

Following discussions in Riyadh last week, the United States proposed a 30-day temporary ceasefire with Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to the proposal, stating, “We are open to halting the war. However, we aim for this pause to evolve into lasting peace and address the root causes of this conflict.” He further emphasized that any ceasefire must be tied to resolving the fundamental issues that led to the war, adding that more details on the agreement are necessary.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense systems had downed 77 Ukrainian drones. The statement mentioned that six drones were shot down in the Kursk region, where Russian forces are in the final phase of expelling Ukrainian troops. Drones were also destroyed in Belgorod, Rostov, and Bryansk regions. The Kremlin claims that Russia’s operation in Kursk is nearing its conclusion, and U.S. negotiators are heading to Moscow.