Talks thin as Russia escalates strikes despite Trump's bid
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that efforts to prevent further escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war are "somewhat under control."
"Rational discussions" and having good relationships with presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine are key to negotiating an end to the war, said Trump during an interview on board Air Force One, conducted by Clay Travis, founder of the sports website Outkick.
Last week, Trump held separate talks with Putin and Zelensky aimed at ending the war initiated by Russia.
These talks, although did not result in a full 30-day ceasefire sought by Trump, concluded with Putin agreeing to halt Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. However, Putin intensified airstrikes on civilian targets in Ukraine.
This past week, the Kremlin launched massive attacks on Odesa, Kropyvnytskyi, and Kyiv.
On Sunday, Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that the White House is striving for an agreement on a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war to be reached before April 20.
Authorities in Washington also admitted that the timeline for reaching an agreement may shift due to significant differences between the positions of Ukraine and Russia, according to individuals familiar with the plan, cited by Bloomberg.
This year, on the same day, April 20, Christian churches of the Western and Eastern rites celebrate Easter. Previously, Russian media reported that around this time, a meeting between U.S. and Russian leaders, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, might take place.
