Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday proposed to extend a temporary Easter ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin to 30 days, calling Russia's shorter Easter truce a test of its true intentions.
Putin on Saturday declared a unilateral Easter truce for the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
The Russian army will stop all fighting during a 30-hour period from 18:00 on Saturday to midnight Sunday, Putin said in a televised meeting with Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, noting that he hopes Ukraine will follow its example.
Putin said this gesture was intended to test Ukraine's sincerity and its ability to uphold a truce, as well as its willingness to engage in peace talks and address the root causes of the conflict.
Later that day, Zelensky said a 30-hour ceasefire is not enough to establish trust, proposing instead a 30-day extension of the truce through Easter on April 20. In a social media post, Zelensky criticized Russia for failing to respond for 39 days to Ukraine's earlier proposal of an unconditional 30-day comprehensive ceasefire. He stated that if Russia now agrees to a full ceasefire, Ukraine will respond in kind -- Ukraine will act as Russia acts.
Zelensky emphasized that a longer ceasefire period could create a real opportunity for peace. However, he noted that Russian attacks continue on some frontlines, and Ukrainian forces remain on alert, responding to every Russian shelling with equal force.
Later the same day, Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky's office, reiterated the need for a full and unconditional ceasefire from Russia. He echoed Zelensky's call for a truce lasting beyond Easter and urged Russia to end the war permanently.
On Saturday, Russia and Ukraine conducted another prisoner exchange. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, both sides exchanged 246 prisoners of war. Additionally, Russia handed over 31 wounded Ukrainian soldiers, while Ukraine released 15 seriously injured Russian captives. Zelensky later confirmed that 277 Ukrainian prisoners had returned home.
Zelensky seeks 30-day truce as Putin announces Easter ceasefire
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
