The US had been pushing for an extension to the Easter ceasefire declared between the two sides, which expired on Sunday night, local time.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday called on Russia to give a “clear answer” on whether it would accept a proposed cease-fire

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday that Ukraine would be ready to hold talks with Russia in any format once a ceasefire is in place and the fighting between Kyiv and Moscow's forces has stopped.