Selenskyj: Fight on fire despite Putin's Easter ceasefire.

Selenskyj: Fight on fire despite Putin's Easter ceasefire.

Sumy, Ukraine - Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj reports on continuing struggles on Russian soil, although Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has announced a 30-hour break for Easter. Selenskyj expresses that fights continue to take place in the Russian border regions of Kursk and Belgorod and that Russian attacks continue. He expects new information from the front at night. The military information from Kiev is currently not independent, but Russian artillery remains active, as is Russian drones in Ukraine. Selenskyj speaks for an unconditional 30-day break and emphasizes that Putin's reduction in the attack shows who is responsible for the war. According to the announcement from Holy Saturday, the fire break should last until midnight (local time) on Easter Sunday, but the reactions to these suggestions are mixed.

Kreml boss Putin justifies the ceasefire with "humanitarian reasons" and calls on Ukraine to also put down the weapons. Nevertheless, Selenskyj remains suspicious of the Russian intentions and warns that Russia has already broken the ceasefire announcement. Instead, he suggests an extension of the ceasefire to 30 days to enable real confidence -building measures. The EU and Great Britain are calling for an actual end to the aggression of Russia, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns of a possible end to the US peace efforts should not be made in the negotiations. US President Donald Trump has also expressed the wish to clarify the situation quickly.

ceasefire negotiations in riad

In Saudi Arabia, negotiations on limited ceasefire are currently taking place in the Ukraine conflict. Kyiv and Moscow are not negotiating directly, but conveying the USA. The conversations that take place in the Ritz-Carlton-Hotel in Riad are about a temporary stop of attacks on energy systems and civilian infrastructures as well as a break in the Black Sea. Russian spokesman Dmitri Peskow emphasized the security of shipping as the main concern.

US negotiator Grigori Karassin describes the conversations as "creative". The US national security advisor Mike Waltz emphasizes the importance of building mutual trust and the establishment of borders. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerow rates the consultations with the United States as "constructive". Both sides have basically spoken out for limited ceasefire, but there are different views of protected goals: While the United States and Ukraine want to protect energy and infrastructure, Russia only demands protection for energy infrastructure.

In addition, Selenskyj has called for protection for railways and ports, while Putin makes a complete ceasefire dependent on the weapon deliveries to Ukraine. However, the fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues. Russia reports that a Ukrainian drone had tried to attack an oil pumping station, but was shot down in this attempt. Ukraine rejects these accusations and blames Russia for attacks on its energy systems. According to reports, Ukrainian special units have destroyed four Russian military helicopters with Himars rockets. In Sumy there was a rocket attack on residential buildings and a school in which 28 injured, including four children.