By Lucy Papachristou (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a surprise one-day ceasefire in Ukraine on Saturday for Easter, but Kyiv said Russian forces continued artillery fire and called instead for an extended true halt to hostilities.

Russian president had called for a 30-hour halt to military attacks in Ukraine if Kyiv also agrees to a truce.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that the Russian army is making a pretence of an Easter ceasefire declared by President Vladimir Putin, continuing overnight attempts to inflict front-line losses on Ukraine.

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Ukraine imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies on Friday, a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy alleged that China had been supplying weapons to Russia. China's foreign ministry earlier on Friday dismissed Zelenskiy's accusation as groundless.

Ukraine imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies on Friday claiming they were involved in production of advanced Iskander missiles, a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy alleged that China had been supplying weapons to Russia.

OTTAWA — China poses the biggest geopolitical threat to Canada, Liberal Leader Mark Carney said on Friday, citing issues including foreign interference, Beijing's support for Russia's war in Ukraine and its interest in the Arctic.