Fighting continued in Russia’s border regions of Kursk and Belgorod despite President Vladimir Putin’s declaration of a Eastern ceasefire, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

“Kursk and Belgorod regions – Putin’s Easter statements did not spread to this territory,” Mr Zelensky said in a social media post, referring to two Russian border regions where Ukrainian forces have made incursions. “Fighting continues, Russian strikes continue.”

Zelensky did not provide evidence and The Independent could not verify the report.

The UK government has urged Russia to commit to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, “not just a one-day pause”.

“Ukraine has committed to a full ceasefire. We urge Russia to do the same,” a foreign office spokesperson said, adding that a pause would enable negotiations for a just and enduring peace.

“Now is the moment for Putin to show he is serious about peace by ending his horrible invasion.”

The European Union has reacted cautiously to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s declaration an Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, saying Moscow could stop the war immediately if it wanted to.

“Russia has a track record as an aggressor, so first we need to see any actual halt of the aggression and clear deeds for a lasting ceasefire,” said Anitta Hipper, the European Commission’s lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security.

Ms Hipper added that it had been more than a month since Ukraine agreed to an unconditional ceasefire.

“Russia could stop this war at any moment if it really wanted to… We continue to support Ukraine for a long, just and comprehensive peace.”

My collegue Tara Cobham reports:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that, according to his top commander, Russian artillery fire had not subsided despite the Kremlin’s proclamation of an Easter ceasefire.

“As of now, according to the Commander-in-Chief reports, Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided,” Zelensky wrote on X.

“Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow.”

He recalled that Russia had last month rejected a US-proposed full 30-day ceasefire and said that if Moscow agreed to “truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia’s actions”.

“If a complete ceasefire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond the Easter day of April 20,” Zelensky wrote.

On Friday, Donald Trump said the US could “take a pass” on Ukraine peace talks if they become too difficult but added he thought there was a “good chance” of succeeding.

Mr Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio had suggested that Washington could “move on” if progress is not made within days in comments after a meeting in Paris with UK, EU and Ukrainian delegations.

Mr Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday that “Marco is right in saying … we want to see it end”.

“If for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re going to say you’re fools, you’re foolish, and we’re just going to take a pass,” he said.

But he added he believes there is “a good chance of solving the problem”.

Asked if Russian President Vladimir Putin was dragging his feet on negotiations, Mr Trump replied: “I hope not.”

Our Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports: