The U.S. is hoping a “broad ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine can be struck in the coming weeks before Easter, Bloomberg wrote on Sunday.
Separate negotiations between the U.S. and Russia and Ukraine have taken place over the last few weeks with hopes to pause the fighting for 30-days.
Sources familiar with the planning told Bloomberg the White House is aiming “for a truce agreement by April 20.”
The date is seen as significant because this year both Western and Orthodox churches mark Easter on the same day.
In 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine adjusted its liturgical calendar to align with the Western calendar, in a move to distance itself from the Moscow Patriarchate, a close ally to the Kremlin.
Washington, however, “recognizes that timeline may slip given the large gaps between the positions of the two sides,” the sources said.
The White House did not confirm the April 20 date.
“We are working for a ceasefire and a lasting peace,” White House spokesman Brian Hughes said. “We won’t have the terms of discussions or timing be played out in the media.”
Sources familiar with the planning told Bloomberg the White House is aiming “for a truce agreement by April 20.”
The date is seen as significant because this year both Western and Orthodox churches mark Easter on the same day.
In 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine adjusted its liturgical calendar to align with the Western calendar, in a move to distance itself from the Moscow Patriarchate, a close ally to the Kremlin.
Washington, however, “recognizes that timeline may slip given the large gaps between the positions of the two sides,” the sources said.
The White House did not confirm the April 20 date.
“We are working for a ceasefire and a lasting peace,” White House spokesman Brian Hughes said. “We won’t have the terms of discussions or timing be played out in the media.”
April 20 or May 9?
Last month, the Financial Times reported that Trump and Putin were aiming to conclude a deal by April 20 or May 9, a significant date for Russia on which it marks the end of World War II and the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.
“Putin will want [a deal] on a notable day like this,” a Ukrainian official told the UK newspaper.
U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to bring the war three-year-long to a quick end before he took office.
“I believe we’re going to pretty soon have a full ceasefire,” Trump told reporters on Friday.
“Putin will want [a deal] on a notable day like this,” a Ukrainian official told the UK newspaper.
U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to bring the war three-year-long to a quick end before he took office.
“I believe we’re going to pretty soon have a full ceasefire,” Trump told reporters on Friday.
Russia ‘undermines peace efforts’
In recent days, Russia increased strikes on Ukrainian cities and giving off signals that it is in no hurry to reach a deal, Bloomberg wrote.
Russia attacked Kyiv overnight on March 23, striking multiple residential buildings and killing at least three people including a five-year-old girl and her father. Ten other people were injured, including an 11-month-old child, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration.
Ukrainess Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia’s actions “undermines peace efforts by the US and other partners.”
Last week, Putin agreed to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities temporarily but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire that Trump hoped would be the first step toward a permanent peace deal. Ukraine accepted Trump’s 30-day proposal.
Sunday’s meeting in Saudi Arabia, which precedes talks on Monday between the U.S. and Russian delegations, came as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the chances for ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two.
"I feel that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants peace," Witkoff, a real estate mogul with no political experience, told Fox News on Sunday.
"I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire."
Russia attacked Kyiv overnight on March 23, striking multiple residential buildings and killing at least three people including a five-year-old girl and her father. Ten other people were injured, including an 11-month-old child, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration.
Ukrainess Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia’s actions “undermines peace efforts by the US and other partners.”
Last week, Putin agreed to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities temporarily but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire that Trump hoped would be the first step toward a permanent peace deal. Ukraine accepted Trump’s 30-day proposal.
Sunday’s meeting in Saudi Arabia, which precedes talks on Monday between the U.S. and Russian delegations, came as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the chances for ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two.
"I feel that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants peace," Witkoff, a real estate mogul with no political experience, told Fox News on Sunday.
"I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire."
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