Ukrainians on Sunday marked a sombre Orthodox Easter two months into Russia's invasion, with many braving bombardments for blessings and others mourning their loved ones. The Easter holiday, observed by Orthodox followers according to the Julian calendar, came as nearly 5.2 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee the violence unleashed on their country. Review our live blog for all the developments. All times are in Paris time [GMT + 2].
April 25, 12:24am: Zelensky congratulates France’s Macron on re-election
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his re-election, saying the French president was a “true friend”.
“Congratulations to the President and a true friend @EmmanuelMacron on the election victory,” Zelensky wrote in French on his Twitter account in early hours on Monday.
“I wish Emmanuel Macron new successes for the benefit of the French people. I appreciate the support of France and I am convinced: we are stepping together to new common victories! To a strong and united Europe!”
Félicitations à @EmmanuelMacron, un vrai ami de l’Ukraine, pour sa réélection! Je lui souhaite de nouveaux succès pour le bien du peuple 🇫🇷. J'apprécie son soutien et je suis convaincu que nous avançons ensemble vers de nouvelles victoires communes. Vers une Europe forte et unie!
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 24, 2022
11.33pm: Zelensky meets Blinken, Austin in Kyiv, Ukrainian presidency says
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Kyiv, his office said Sunday.
Presidential aide Oleksiy Arestovych, speaking during an interview on YouTube earlier Sunday, confirmed that the meeting was ongoing.
“Talking to the president. Maybe they can help,” he added.
This was the first meeting between Zelensky and US officials since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.
Arestovych repeated Ukraine’s appeal for offensive weapons, “because as long as there are no ‘offensives’, there will be a new Bucha every day”, he added, referring to the town where UN officials said they had documented the unlawful killings of around 50 civilians.
On Saturday, Zelensky said that he was grateful for the help Washington had provided to Ukraine thus far, even if he wanted heavier, more powerful weapons to use against the Russian forces.
10pm: Washington does not confirm Blinken, Austin visit to Kyiv
Although Ukraine’s Zelensky announced US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin were to visit Kyiv, the White House has not confirmed any visit: the State Department and Pentagon declined to comment.
It would be the highest-level visit to Ukraine by US officials since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of the country on February 24.
7.30pm: Ukraine proposes talks with Russia over Mariupol’s civilians, troops
Ukraine proposed on Sunday a "special" round of negotiations with Russia to be held near Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant to discuss the fate of the civilians and Ukrainian troops still trapped in the city, an adviser to Ukraine's president said.
The talks would aim to establish an immediate ceasefire in Mariupol, "multi-day" humanitarian corridors, and the freeing or swapping of Ukrainian fighters trapped in the Azovstal plant, presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said in a video address.
"We invited Russians to hold a special round of talks on the spot right next to the walls of Azovstal," said Oleksiy Arestovych, an aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
6.20pm: Russians, Ukrainians celebrate Orthodox Easter despite Moscow's truce refusal
Ukrainians on Sunday marked a sombre Orthodox Easter two months into Russia's invasion, with many braving bombardments for blessings and others mourning their loved ones. The Easter holiday, observed by Orthodox followers according to the Julian calendar, comes as nearly 5.2 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee the violence unleashed on their country by Russia's invasion.
5.25pm: Russia attempting to storm Mariupol’s Azovstal factory, last Ukrainian corner of resistance
Russian forces are attempting to storm the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol by land, backed up by aerial and artillery bombardment, Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said on Sunday, where an estimated 1,000 civilians are sheltering along with about 2,000 Ukrainian fighters.
"Russian troops are trying to finish off the defenders of Azovstal and more than 1,000 civilians who are hiding at the plant," Arestovych wrote on Facebook. He said on Saturday that troops in the steel complex were attempting counterattacks.
The Azovstal steel mill where the defenders are holed up is the last corner of resistance in the city, which the Russians have otherwise occupied. Moscow has previously declared victory in the city and said it did not need to take the plant.
The evacuation of the southern port of Mariupol and of the Azovstal factory was at the core of discussions between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayip Erdogan, including the exchange of troops.
3.40pm: Mariupol humanitarian corridor fails, Ukraine blames Russian forces
No humanitarian routes were established out of the southeastern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Sunday, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said, blaming Russian forces for not holding their fire.
Vereshchuk said that the Ukrainian side would try again on Monday to establish safe passage out of Mariupol. She called for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is scheduled to travel to Moscow before visiting Kyiv next week, to demand a ceasefire and open up humanitarian corridors from Mariupol.
"This is what Guterres should talk about in Moscow, if he is preparing to talk about peace," Vereshchuk said.
1:40pm: Erdogan tells Zelensky that Turkey is ready to assist in Ukraine-Russia negotiations
Turkey is ready to give all possible assistance during the negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a telephone call, the Turkish presidency said on Sunday.
Erdogan said the evacuation of the wounded and civilians in Ukraine's Mariupol must be ensured, adding that Turkey viewed the guarantor issue positively in principle. Ukraine has sought security guarantees from various countries during talks.
1:36pm: EU's von der Leyen in India with Ukraine on agenda
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will press India over its neutral stance on the Ukraine war after arriving in the country on Sunday for trade, security and climate talks.
New Delhi has long walked a tightrope in its relations with the West and Moscow – which supplies most of India's arms – and Russia's invasion of its neighbour has highlighted the difficulty of the balancing act.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has not openly condemned the Kremlin or backed a UN Security Council vote that deplored Moscow's "aggression".
1:00pm: UN calls for 'stop' in fighting to allow Mariupol evacuation
The United Nations Ukraine crisis coordinator, Amin Awad, called on Sunday for an "immediate stop" to fighting in Mariupol to allow the evacuation of trapped civilians in the battered city "today".
"The lives of tens of thousands, including women, children and older people, are at stake in Mariupol," Awad said in a statement. "We need a pause in fighting right now to save lives.
"The longer we wait the more lives will be at risk. They must be allowed to safely evacuate now, today. Tomorrow could be too late."
His call came after an attempted evacuation from Mariupol by Ukraine had failed Saturday, with Kyiv saying it was "thwarted" by Russian forces.
12:00pm: Odesa bracing itself for further strikes after Saturday's missile attack
A missile strike on Odesa on Saturday killed eight people and wounded 18, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukrainian military authorities confirmed to FRANCE 24 that the missiles came from fighters at sea and changed trajectory at the last minute, adding an element of surprise. Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov said that buildings with civilians had been "intentionally" targeted in the attack. Residents of the port city are anticipating future strikes of a similar nature. FRANCE 24 correspondent Luke Shrago provides the details below.
11:12am: On Orthodox Easter, Zelensky vows 'wickedness' will not destroy Ukraine
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed on Sunday in an Orthodox Easter message that no "wickedness" will destroy the country and prayed that God returns happiness to children and brings solace to grieving mothers.
Standing inside one of the country's best known landmarks, the 1,000-year-old Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Zelensky said in a video address that Ukraine will overcome the darkness that the war has brought upon it.
"Today, we still believe in the new victory of Ukraine and we are all convinced that we will not be destroyed by any horde or wickedness," Zelensky, wearing his trademark dark khaki outfit, said.
Subdued Easter celebrations took place across the country on Sunday, exactly two months since the beginning of the Russian invasion that President Vladimir Putin has called a "special military operation".
9:07am: Residents stunned after Russian forces fire cruise missiles at Odesa
Several Russian missiles targeted a residential building in Odesa on Saturday, leaving residents stunned. The fear in the Black Sea port city now is whether such strikes could become the norm as Russia continues to struggle in making headway in its invasion of Ukraine. FRANCE 24 correspondent Luke Shrago reports from Odesa.
6:53am: Zelensky says he will meet top US officials Blinken, Austin in Kyiv
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Kyiv Sunday, the day the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its third month, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will also visit, Zelensky told reporters. It will be the first official visit by US government officials since the February 24 invasion.
2:57am: UN's Guterres to visit Ankara Monday before trips to Moscow and Kyiv
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday will visit Turkey, an important mediator seeking an end to Russia's war against Ukraine, before heading to Moscow and Kyiv, the UN said in a statement.
"The Secretary-General will visit Ankara, Turkey, where on April 25, he will be received by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan," the UN said late Saturday.
Guterres will then head to Moscow on Tuesday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a trip Thursday to Kyiv in an effort to mediate an end to Russia's invasion, which has killed thousands and driven over 10 million Ukrainians from their homes since February 24.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and REUTERS)
