Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for breaking an Easter ceasefire announced by Vladimir Putin, with both sides accusing the other of carrying out attacks.

The truce, announced as lasting 30 hours, appeared to be a gambit by Putin to show the United States that Russia was serious about peace.

Putin then accused the Western defensive alliance, Nato, of trying to gain a foothold in Ukraine to bring its troops closer to Russia's borders. As he responded to Putin's truce announcement, Zelensky urged Russia to commit to a 30-day ceasefire rather than a 30-hour pause.