- Russia and Ukraine conducted their largest prisoner swap since the war began. Two hundred and forty-six Russian troops and 31 wounded Ukrainian soldiers were exchanged, along with 15 wounded Russians.
- The swap coincided with a temporary Russian ceasefire for Orthodox Easter, which President Putin said was a test of Kyiv’s willingness to negotiate; President Zelenskyy called it a deceptive gesture.
- President Trump and U.S. officials weighed in on the conflict, with Trump criticizing the Biden administration and citing efforts to help end the war, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio referenced ongoing diplomatic talks.
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Russia and Ukraine carried out the largest prisoner exchange since the start of the war Saturday, April 19, officials from both countries said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said 246 Russian service members were returned from Ukrainian-controlled territory. In exchange, Ukraine received 31 wounded prisoners of war, while 15 wounded Russian soldiers were also transferred, according to the Associated Press.
The announcement came just hours after the Kremlin declared a temporary ceasefire in observance of Orthodox Easter. The ceasefire, which Russia said would begin at 6 p.m. local time and last until midnight following Easter Sunday, was described as a gesture to encourage peace talks.
“Our decision regarding the Easter ceasefire will show how sincere is the readiness of the Kyiv regime—its desire and ability to comply with agreements and participate in peaceful negotiations,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the ceasefire as disingenuous. In a post on the social media platform X, he wrote, “Air raid alerts are spreading across Ukraine. Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin’s true attitude toward Easter and toward human life.”
U.S. President Donald Trump also commented on the conflict during an appearance Friday, April 18, saying, “If for some reason, one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say you are foolish, you are fools, you’re horrible people, and we’re going to just take a pass. But hopefully, we won’t have to do that.”
When asked by reporters if he believed he was being manipulated by Russian interests, Trump responded, “No. Nobody’s playing me. I’m trying to help. You know, this was Biden’s war, by the way. This is not Trump’s war. This is a war that should have never happened.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration had spent more than 80 days making repeated efforts to help bring the war to an end. He added that the administration is now at a point where it must determine whether a resolution is possible.
Rubio addressed the situation following a round of talks with European and Ukrainian leaders in France.
