Trump Pushes for Easter Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine Amid Renewed Peace Talks

 

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine by Easter Sunday, as fresh peace negotiations resumed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The latest round of discussions comes after a night of heavy Russian airstrikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, resulting in multiple casualties, including a five-year-old child and an 11-month-old baby among the wounded.

Despite the renewed talks, Russia appears to be stalling the process. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that negotiations would be "difficult." Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that their delegation includes energy and military experts, working through technical challenges to secure meaningful progress.

One of the major issues on the agenda is ensuring safe passage for vessels through the Black Sea, a critical concern for Ukraine’s economy and global food supply chains.

Additionally, U.S. officials are set to meet separately with Russian and Ukrainian representatives in the coming days to discuss the enforcement of a 30-day truce on strikes against energy infrastructure, an agreement that was reached last week.

The developments in Riyadh come amid growing tensions between the U.S. and the UK, with British political leaders questioning Washington’s reliability in countering Vladimir Putin.

Former UK Defense Minister Tobias Ellwood suggested that the "Special Relationship" between the U.S. and the UK is now effectively over, stating, "We can no longer rely on America for support against Putin."

 Lib Dem Defence Spokesman Mike Martin claimed Britain’s strategy of bridging the gap between the U.S. and Europe is “in tatters.”

Their concerns were amplified after Trump’s peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, made controversial remarks expressing admiration for Vladimir Putin, dismissing UK-led support for Ukraine as "a posture and a pose."

The U.S. faces pressure to increase sanctions on Russia rather than offering diplomatic concessions. Shadow Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois warned:

"If a ceasefire is what the U.S. truly desires, they may find that credible threats of tougher sanctions on Russia are far more effective than empty compliments."