White House aims for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire by Easter
The White House is striving to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war before April 19, as reported by Bloomberg on Sunday, citing sources close to the matter.
The authorities in Washington have simultaneously acknowledged that the deadline for reaching an agreement may be delayed due to significant differences between the positions of Ukraine and Russia.
This year, on the same day, April 19, Christian churches of both Western and Eastern rites will celebrate Easter. Earlier, Russian media reported that a meeting between the leaders of the U.S. and Russia, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, could take place on this date.
Delegations from the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia will meet in Saudi Arabia to negotiate a partial ceasefire concerning energy, civil infrastructure, and ensuring free navigation in the Black Sea. The meeting between the Ukrainian and U.S. delegations will already take place on Sunday.
Ukraine will be represented by Defense Minister Rustem Umierov and Deputy Head of the President's Office Pavlo Palisa, supported by energy and infrastructure experts. The Ukrainian delegation will present a list of targets in Riyadh that Russia should not attack.
The Russian delegation, led by former diplomat Grigory Karasin and advisor to the FSB chief Sergey Beseda, will talk on Monday with the U.S. delegation in a shuttle diplomacy format, without a direct meeting with the Ukrainians.
The American side is represented by White House and State Department advisors.
Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, agreeing on a 30-day ceasefire concerning civil infrastructure, although the initial U.S. proposal included a broader truce.
Experts assess that Russia is using the negotiations as a tool, attempting to delay the end of the war.
