White House/Photo: Depositphotos
The administration of US President Donald Trump remains hopeful that a large-scale ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine will be reached in the coming weeks, despite the continuation of hostilities. Bloomberg reported this on 23 March, citing sources familiar with the situation who wished to remain anonymous.
White House plans and deadlines
According to sources, the White House is seeking to conclude a ceasefire agreement by 20 April 2025, the day when Catholic and Orthodox Easter coincide on the calendar. This date is seen as a symbolic deadline for a diplomatic breakthrough. However, the administration acknowledges that the deadline could be pushed back due to significant differences between the parties’ positions. The Kremlin, according to Bloomberg’s sources, is not in a hurry to negotiate and is putting forward maximalist demands, including a complete cessation of arms supplies to Ukraine, a condition that Kyiv and its Western allies have categorically rejected.
In early March, the White House briefly suspended critical arms shipments to Ukraine, likely to increase pressure on Kyiv in the negotiation process. However, according to sources, the Trump administration has not yet agreed to any restrictions on military support, despite pressure from Russia.
Europe’s position and allies’ concerns
European officials have expressed concern that Trump’s desire to win a diplomatic victory could lead to concessions that would weaken Ukraine. According to them, such steps would leave the country vulnerable to future attacks from Russia. They suggest that illegitimate Russian President Vladimir Putin is deliberately stalling for time, hoping for more concessions from the US and the advance of Russian troops on the frontline.
Bloomberg notes that European leaders fear a scenario in which Trump sacrifices Ukraine’s long-term security for short-term political triumph. These fears are exacerbated by the lack of clear signals from the Kremlin that it is ready to compromise.
Prospects for negotiations
Sources say that Moscow will not agree to a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin until a comprehensive peace agreement is concluded. According to Bloomberg’s sources, it is unlikely that such an outcome will be reached by mid-April due to the complexity of the negotiations and Russia’s unwillingness to make concessions. At the same time, the White House continues to look for opportunities to advance the dialogue, hoping for a breakthrough in the coming weeks.
Conclusions.
As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, with attacks unabated and casualties mounting, the Trump administration is trying to find a balance between diplomatic ambitions and support for Ukraine. However, disagreements between the parties, pressure from the Kremlin, and concerns from European allies are complicating the path to a truce. It remains to be seen whether the White House will be able to implement its plan by Easter.
The situation continues to evolve and further updates will depend on the progress of the negotiations.
