Just hours after President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral 30-hour Easter ceasefire, Russia and Ukraine traded accusations of violating it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported 59 shellings and five assaults by Russian forces. Ukraine claims Russia also used 48 drones during the truce, while over 900 drone attacks were reported in Russia’s border regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk.

The death toll from a Russian strike on Sumy, Ukraine, has climbed to 35, with 117 injured. While Russia claimed it targeted a military meeting, Ukrainian officials say the attack took place on Palm Sunday as civilians headed to church. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as cowardly. Western leaders including those from the UK, Germany, and Italy have denounced the strike. Donald Trump called it “horrible” but added, “I heard it was a mistake.” According to the UN, over 12,654 civilians have been killed and 29,392 injured in Ukraine during the first three years of war.

A devastating missile strike by Russian forces on a residential area in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, has killed at least 18 people, including six children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Western allies to increase pressure on Moscow as rescue operations continue. Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak reported on Telegram that several residential buildings were damaged in the attack, sparking fires and injuring at least 50 people. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the missile targeted a gathering of Ukrainian troops and foreign instructors in Kryvyi Rih, alleging that the strike resulted in the deaths of 85 foreign military personnel and officers, as well as the destruction of over 20 vehicles.

A Russian drone strike on Saturday night in Kharkiv, Ukraine, left two people dead and 35 others injured, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack damaged multiple structures, including a military hospital. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed that five children were among the injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged international allies to take action against Russia. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 111 drones and one ballistic missile across various regions, including Sumy, Odesa, and Donetsk, overnight. Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down 65 drones and intercept 35 attacks.

The Trump administration has initiated discussions with Russia in Saudi Arabia regarding a potential peace agreement to end the Ukraine war. This meeting follows a discussion between representatives from Washington and Kyiv. On Monday, US and Russian officials began negotiations in Riyadh, with President Donald Trump pushing for a swift resolution to the three-year-long war. He hopes the talks will pave the way for progress. Meanwhile, Kyiv reported that Russia launched at least 99 drone strikes last night.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, has described the recent discussions in Riyadh on reducing tensions with Russia as “successful.” He stated that key issues, including energy security, were addressed, and emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to achieving “a just and lasting peace.” According to Umerov, these talks are part of U.S. diplomatic efforts to end the three-year war. Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Whitcoff reaffirmed Washington’s support for a full ceasefire.

Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States following negotiations in Jeddah. The U.S. has also committed to resuming military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The meeting included U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz, along with Ukrainian officials Andriy Sibiga and Andriy Yermak. Russia was not present at the talks. Rubio stated that they hope Russia will also agree to the ceasefire and, if not, it will help identify obstacles to peace. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelensky has proposed a partial ceasefire over air and sea routes, while the U.S. is pushing for a full cessation of hostilities.

After meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts toward peace. He highlighted that security guarantees for Ukraine were a major topic in their discussion, alongside potential Saudi investments in defense, energy, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, US and Ukrainian delegations have commenced talks in Saudi Arabia, seeking a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Ukraine has reported that Russian missile and drone strikes on the eastern town of Dobropillia have left at least 11 people dead and 30 injured. In a separate attack in the northeastern Kharkiv region, three more civilians were killed and seven wounded. Authorities revealed that Russian forces launched ballistic missiles, multiple rocket salvos, and drones targeting Dobropillia, damaging eight multi-story buildings and 30 vehicles. Even as firefighters were working to contain the blazes, they came under further attack, resulting in damage to emergency vehicles. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force claimed to have intercepted a cruise missile and shot down 79 drones overnight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that another round of talks between the United States and Ukraine will take place in Saudi Arabia next week. Although Zelensky will not be attending, he emphasized that the meeting in Saudi Arabia could be a critical step toward establishing peace. Former US Special Envoy to Ukraine, Steve Pifer, stated that the US delegation aims to initiate structured discussions that could pave the way for ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This announcement follows the US’s suspension of military aid to Ukraine after the White House controversy. Despite Zelensky’s message of peace, he continues to call for a permanent security arrangement following the cessation of hostilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to European allies at the EU Summit on Thursday. “We are deeply thankful that we are not alone,” he said. He also accused former US President Donald Trump of aiding Russia in dismantling the global order, adding that Trump’s stance on Ukraine has left all of Europe anxious. EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen warned that Europe is facing an unprecedented threat and convened a special meeting of 27 EU countries in Brussels to discuss defense spending and the possibility of forming a military alliance.

Following the U.S. suspension of all military aid to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X expressing regret over a verbal altercation with former U.S. President Donald Trump during a White House meeting. He reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to ending the war with Russia as swiftly as possible under Trump’s "strong leadership." Although Zelensky did not directly mention the suspension of military aid, he emphasized that Ukraine is open to security and mineral agreements under any conditions.

On Sunday, France and the United Kingdom proposed a one-month partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. French President Macron announced that the ceasefire would exclude land combat but apply to attacks on air, sea, and energy infrastructure. Following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s call, a conference of European leaders was held in London to advance Ukraine’s peace plans. Macron attended the conference, and world leaders reaffirmed their strong support for the Ukrainian leadership. Macron further stated that the second phase of the ceasefire would involve the deployment of European ground troops to Ukraine.

After U.S. President Donald Trump scolded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, European leaders quickly rallied behind him. Following the incident, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a summit with European leaders, including Zelensky, to discuss plans for ending the war in Ukraine. The summit resulted in a four-point agenda, focusing on military aid, maintaining pressure on Russia, and ensuring Ukraine’s presence in peace talks. The UK also pledged $200 million in military support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to US pressure, stating that removing him from office will not be easy, given the current situation and international support. He reiterated that he is willing to resign if Ukraine is granted NATO membership. Following a heated meeting with US President Donald Trump, Republicans suggested Zelensky may need to step down to resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict. However, Zelensky insists his mission will be complete only when NATO membership is secured for Ukraine.