RT News - April 22 2025 (09:00 MSK)

Vladimir Putin says Ukraine was going to veto the Easter truce until Kiev's backers suggested it wouldn't be a good look to turn down a peace offering. The comments came as the Russian president spoke about the results of the ceasefire. The Russian leader also stresses the need to address the root causes of the Ukraine conflict in a phone call with South Africa's president. The conversation comes ahead of Vladimir Zelensky's visit to Pretoria - which has faced heavy criticism from a number of the country's opposition parties. China ups the stakes in the tariff war with Washington by pulling back from US investments, while warning other countries not to strike a deal with Washington.