The truce is set to end at midnight on April 21, and the Russian leadership has not given an order to extend it, Dmitry Peskov has said

Russian President Vladimir Putin has not given any order to prolong the Easter ceasefire with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

Speaking to Russian media on Sunday, some five hours before the expiration of the temporary truce, the spokesman said the 30-hour ceasefire was set to end as scheduled at 00:00 on Monday.

"There were no other orders," Peskov stressed.

Putin announced the surprise pause in fighting on Saturday in recognition of Easter the next day, with the truce taking effect at 18:00 Moscow time. The president urged Kiev to follow suit and observe the truce while calling on Russian troops to stay on high alert, saying Ukraine had a long history of breaking promises and violating agreements.

"Our troops must be prepared to react to possible violations of the ceasefire and provocations by the adversary, to any aggressive actions," Putin stated.

Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky initially appeared to snub the truce, branding it a mere attempt to "play with human lives." He appeared to change his stance later on Saturday, suggesting the ceasefire could be prolonged beyond the 30-hour mark should Moscow abide by it.

"If Russia is now suddenly ready to really join the format of complete and unconditional ceasefire, Ukraine will act in a reciprocal way - as it will be from the Russian side. Silence in response to silence, strikes in response to strikes," Zelensky stated.

Both sides have accused the other of repeatedly breaking the truce. According to the Russian military, Kiev's forces made 1,300 attacks in the less than 24 hours since the truce was declared.

Zelensky made similar allegations, claiming Russian forces shelled Ukrainian positions more than 900 times, as well as staged some 46 "assault operations" during the period.

(RT.com)