Russia, Ukraine trade accusations over "Easter truce" violations

On the international front.

A 30-hour ceasefire unilaterally declared by Russia to mark Easter Sunday this past weekend has come to an end amid much doubt about the sincerity of the declaration.

Park Kun-woo has more.

Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of violating the "Easter truce" that lasted 30-hours from 6 PM Saturday, Moscow time, and has now expired.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that Russian forces breached the ceasefire around 3-thousand times since Sunday.

He earlier said Russia had no intention of ending the war, adding it was only interested in a PR exercise.

Similar skepticism was shared by those on the front lines.

"It was announced only to show to the world as if they are making some steps, concessions for us. But in reality, nothing has changed."

On the other side, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused Kyiv of violating the truce over a thousand times, firing shells and launching hundreds of drones, and even some U.S.-supplied missiles.

Its defense ministry said Moscow "strictly observed" the ceasefire.

Some residents in Donetsk, that's been under Russian control since 2014, expressed distrust toward Ukraine.

"I don't have hopes on the Ukrainian side, they have deceived us so many times, I do not trust them."

While Ukraine urged for an extension of the truce, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said just hours before its expiration that no new orders had been received from President Vladimir Putin.

Amid the continuing tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope on Sunday that the two sides will be able to make a peace deal this week, adding it could open the doors for "big business" with the U.S.

With a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal possibly being signed later this week, attention now turns to whether new efforts will be made to help bring the war to an end.

Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.