Charles Mains

Putin and Witkoff met for three hours of talks that Kremlin advisor Yuri Shchukov later characterized as constructive and useful. Shchukov said positions on Ukraine and other international issues had grown closer as a result. Yet at least for now, it appears Witkoff failed to get Russian support for the U.S.-backed peace plan. Critics of the U.S.

Putin and Witkoff met for three hours of talks that Kremlin advisor Yuri Shchukov later characterized as constructive and useful. Shchukov said positions on Ukraine and other international issues had grown closer as a result. Yet at least for now, it appears Witkoff failed to get Russian support for the U.S.-backed peace plan. Critics of the U.S.

proposal said it overwhelmingly favors Moscow in recognizing Russia's hold over territories it seized from Ukraine by force. Instead, Russia raised the possibility of direct talks with Ukraine while agreeing to more active dialogue with the U.S. Trump had been threatening to walk away from peace efforts in Ukraine entirely if he didn't see immediate progress. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

proposal said it overwhelmingly favors Moscow in recognizing Russia's hold over territories it seized from Ukraine by force. Instead, Russia raised the possibility of direct talks with Ukraine while agreeing to more active dialogue with the U.S. Trump had been threatening to walk away from peace efforts in Ukraine entirely if he didn't see immediate progress. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

Even before the Easter ceasefire technically went into effect, both sides voiced skepticism the truce would hold. Putin warned of possible Ukrainian provocations, and Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, suggested the offer was more gimmick than peace gesture.

Even before the Easter ceasefire technically went into effect, both sides voiced skepticism the truce would hold. Putin warned of possible Ukrainian provocations, and Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, suggested the offer was more gimmick than peace gesture.

Today, Russia's defense ministry said Ukraine carried out hundreds of artillery and drone strikes on Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. Intern Zelensky said Russia continued shelling and assault raids across the front line. Neither claim could be independently verified.

Today, Russia's defense ministry said Ukraine carried out hundreds of artillery and drone strikes on Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. Intern Zelensky said Russia continued shelling and assault raids across the front line. Neither claim could be independently verified.

The ceasefire attempt comes as President Trump has threatened to abandon efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict if he didn't see immediate progress towards peace. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

The ceasefire attempt comes as President Trump has threatened to abandon efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict if he didn't see immediate progress towards peace. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

In a televised meeting with his top general, Putin ordered all military operations to cease beginning Saturday evening through midnight Sunday in honor of the Easter holiday. Putin said he was counting on Ukraine to follow suit, but told his military to remain on alert to respond to provocations by Kyiv,

In a televised meeting with his top general, Putin ordered all military operations to cease beginning Saturday evening through midnight Sunday in honor of the Easter holiday. Putin said he was counting on Ukraine to follow suit, but told his military to remain on alert to respond to provocations by Kyiv,

Separately, Russia's defense ministry confirmed it would observe the ceasefire order on the condition that Ukraine do the same. NPR's Kiev bureau confirmed explosions in the Ukrainian capital in the hour before the truce was set to take hold. The Easter ceasefire announcement follows recent warnings by the Trump administration.

Separately, Russia's defense ministry confirmed it would observe the ceasefire order on the condition that Ukraine do the same. NPR's Kiev bureau confirmed explosions in the Ukrainian capital in the hour before the truce was set to take hold. The Easter ceasefire announcement follows recent warnings by the Trump administration.

It may abandon efforts to negotiate an end to the war if it doesn't see progress towards peace. Charles Baines, NPR News, Moscow.

It may abandon efforts to negotiate an end to the war if it doesn't see progress towards peace. Charles Baines, NPR News, Moscow.

In a statement, Russia's defense ministry said its forces had successfully fired two Iskander-M tactical missiles at a gathering of Ukrainian military officers in Sumy. The ministry tacitly acknowledged civilian casualties as well, accusing Ukraine of using civilians as human shields by placing military targets in densely populated areas.

In a statement, Russia's defense ministry said its forces had successfully fired two Iskander-M tactical missiles at a gathering of Ukrainian military officers in Sumy. The ministry tacitly acknowledged civilian casualties as well, accusing Ukraine of using civilians as human shields by placing military targets in densely populated areas.

Ukraine has demanded a tough international response over the attack, which came amid wider U.S. efforts to negotiate a peace in Ukraine, President Trump condemned the airstrike as horrible but suggested Russia had mistakenly hit civilians. Trump administration officials also point to the Sumi attack as the latest reason why they're working to end the conflict. Charles Baines, NPR News, Moscow.

Ukraine has demanded a tough international response over the attack, which came amid wider U.S. efforts to negotiate a peace in Ukraine, President Trump condemned the airstrike as horrible but suggested Russia had mistakenly hit civilians. Trump administration officials also point to the Sumi attack as the latest reason why they're working to end the conflict. Charles Baines, NPR News, Moscow.