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As it happenedended

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin U-turns on Zelensky peace talks with Trump pushing for deal ‘this week’

Russia has resumed its brutal aerial attack on Ukraine after claiming it ‘strictly observed’ Easter ceasefire

Namita Singh,Alex Croft
Tuesday 22 April 2025 16:48 BST
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Trump insists he's not being 'played by Russia' as Ukraine peace talks stall

Russian president Vladimir Putin has for the first time proposed direct peace talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Putin has previously claimed he would only negotiate peace with Ukraine if the country held elections to form a new government, having repeatedly made false claims that Mr Zelensky is an illegitimate leader despite his election in 2019.

The Russian autocrat has suggested face-to-face talks for the first time since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a quick ceasefire deal have failed to bear fruit.

Mr Trump said Russia and Ukraine can do “big business” with Washington if they reach a deal. "Hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week," the US president wrote on Truth Social over the weekend.

It comes as representatives from Ukraine, the UK, France and the US were set to meet in London on Wednesday to continue talks on a potential ceasefire.

While Mr Zelensky did not directly respond to Mr Putin’s proposal, he emphasised in his nightly video address that Ukraine "was ready for any conversation" that would stop strikes on civilians.

“Actions always speak louder than words,” he posted on X.

Trump envoy Witkoff to visit Moscow this week - Russian media

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to visit Russia this week, according to Russian state media.

"We are expecting him," said Yuri Ushakov, aid to Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin, told Interfax news agency according to European Pravda.

Mr Witkoff has been to Russia three times and has met with Mr Putin amid US efforts to force a quick ceasefire in Ukraine. His next visit will take place as US, Ukraine and European countries meet in London on Thursday 23 April to discuss steps towards ending the war.

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff (AP)
Alex Croft22 April 2025 16:21

Russia broke Easter truce, Healey tells Commons

Russian forces broke the 30-hour Easter truce, UK defence secretary John Healey told the House of Commons.

Mr Healey is currently giving a statement to the Commons on the situation in Ukraine and efforts towards peace.

“Despite president Putin’s promise of a 30-hour pause in fighting, I can confirm that defence intelligence have found, and I quote, ‘no indication’ that a ceasefire on the frontline was observed over the Easter period.

“10,000 missiles and drones have been fired into Ukraine during this year alone, including from the Black Sea.”

He added: “So while has said he declared an Easter truce, he broke it. While Putin has says he wants peace, he’s rejected a full ceasefire, and while Putin says he wants to put an end to the fighting, he continues to play for time in negotiations.

“And the Russian military continue to pressure Ukraine on a number of fronts.”

Alex Croft22 April 2025 16:24

Russian military progress in Ukraine slowing, says Healey

The progress of the Russian military against Ukraine has slowed down in 2025, UK defence secretary John Healey has said in a statement to the House of Commons.

“I can confirm Russian military progress is slowing,” Mr Healey said. “Putin gained less territory in March than he did in February, less territory in February than he did in January.”

“Ukrainian troops have still not been ejected from Russian territory in Kursk”, he added.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the first half of the payment through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme has been sent to Ukraine (Oli Scarff/PA)
Defence Secretary John Healey said the first half of the payment through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme has been sent to Ukraine (Oli Scarff/PA) (PA Wire)
Alex Croft22 April 2025 16:26

State of emergency declared in Russian region

A state of emergency was declared in Russia's Vladimir region east of Moscow after an explosion on Tuesday, the TASS state news agency said, citing emergency services.

It is unclear what was hit or whether there were any casualties after the explosion, which Telegram channels close to Russia's security services say occurred near a weapons arsenal close to the village of Barsovo.

Vladimir's regional governor Alexander Avdeev said earlier that an explosion had occurred in the Kirzhach district and emergency personnel were working at the scene. He made no mention of what was hit and if there were any casualties.

Alex Croft22 April 2025 16:58

No obstacles to peace on Ukrainian side, says Zelensky

There are no obstacles on the Ukrainian side when it comes to peace talks, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday.

His comments came after Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said some details need to be figured out before a Kyiv-proposed halt on strikes on civilian sites were to be put in place.

“Ukraine proposed to extend the ceasefire after Easter and make it comprehensive,” Mr Zelensky said.

“Our proposal to halt strikes on civilian infrastructure remains on the table as well. What’s needed is genuine readiness from Russia to engage in this conversation.

“There are and will be no impasses on the Ukrainian side,” he added.

Alex Croft22 April 2025 17:28

Mapped: Ukraine left with tiny sliver of land in Russia's Kursk region

Alex Croft22 April 2025 17:57

Zelensky pushes for immediate halt to attacks on civilian targets

Volodymyr Zelensky, in his nightly video address on Monday, said Ukraine stood by its proposal for an end to attacks on civilian targets and was ready for any form of discussion to achieve it.

Previously, the US and Ukraine had framed this as a 30-day ceasefire.

"Ukraine maintains its proposal not to strike at the very least civilian targets. And we are expecting a clear response from Moscow," he said.

"We are ready for any conversation about how to achieve this."

He said the London talks "have a primary task: to push for an unconditional ceasefire. This must be the starting point."

Mr Zelensky had earlier on Monday said an unconditional ceasefire would be "followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace".

Alex Croft22 April 2025 18:30

In pictures: Heartbreak after Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia kills one and injures 22

A rescuer evacuates a cat from an apartment building damaged during a Russian air strike
A rescuer evacuates a cat from an apartment building damaged during a Russian air strike (REUTERS)
Police officers evacuate a woman from a multi-storey building
Police officers evacuate a woman from a multi-storey building (AP)
At least 22 people were injured in the strike, which killed 1
At least 22 people were injured in the strike, which killed 1 (AP)
Alex Croft22 April 2025 18:59

Starmer backs Ukraine ceasefire call as Russia’s ‘Easter truce’ ends

Ukraine is sending a delegation to London on Wednesday for talks with Western allies on finding a resolution to the war with Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday – as Vladimir Putin separately raised the possibility of bilateral talks with Kyiv for the first time in years.

The Ukrainian president said he had had a “good and detailed conversation” with Sir Keir Starmer, who supports calls for a full ceasefire.

“We are ready to move forward as constructively as possible,” Mr Zelensky said, adding that a 30-hour Easter truce proclaimed by Moscow, which each side accused the other of violating, showed that it was Russia’s actions “that are prolonging the war”.

Alastair Jamieson reports:

Starmer backs Ukraine ceasefire call as Russia’s ‘Easter truce’ ends

Kyiv sends delegation to London as Putin hints at possibility of bilateral talks with Ukraine
Alex Croft22 April 2025 19:30

Starmer thanks New Zealand leader for 'ongoing support' in Coalition of the Willing

Sir Keir Starmer met with New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon in which they discussed the importance of continuing to support Ukraine for the long term.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister hosted New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at Downing Street today.

“The two leaders reflected on their visit to Operation Interflex to see Ukrainian troops being trained earlier today, and the importance of supporting Ukraine for the long term.“

He thanked Mr Luxon for New Zealand’s ongoing support in the Coalition of the Willing, adding that the planning phase was making good progress across all four domains - land, air, regeneration and sea

“The Prime Minister welcomed New Zealand’s recent uplift in defence spending, and both agreed the direct link between defence spending, economic security and putting money back in the pockets of hardworking people.”

Bryony Gooch22 April 2025 19:37

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