The White House is intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure a comprehensive ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine by April 20, aligning with Easter celebrations in both Western and Orthodox traditions, Bloomberg reported on March 23, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
On March 18, Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin engaged in a phone call to discuss a potential 30-day ceasefire. However, President Putin declined the proposal, agreeing instead to limit attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure while demanding that the U.S. and other nations halt the flow of weapons and intelligence to Ukraine.
Subsequently, Ukrainian and U.S. officials have been engaging in diplomatic discussions, including meetings in Saudi Arabia, to establish a framework for halting hostilities. Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain, as the conflict persists with notable intensity.
The urgency of these diplomatic endeavors is underscored by ongoing violence. On March 22, Russian drone strikes targeted Kyiv, resulting in at least seven fatalities, including a five-year-old girl, and causing extensive damage to residential areas. Similar attacks in other regions have led to additional casualties, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
While the White House remains hopeful about achieving a ceasefire by April 20, officials acknowledge that the timeline may be ambitious due to substantial differences between the conflicting parties’ positions. The administration continues to work diligently with allies and leverages all diplomatic channels to bridge these gaps, aiming to halt the violence and initiate broader peace negotiations.
Also read: Putin’s full response to the 30-day ceasefire proposal.
Ukraine agrees to 30-day ceasefire as US prepares to lift military aid restrictions
