Trump Aims for Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire by Easter Amid Complex Negotiations
Donald Trump seeks a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia by Easter Sunday amidst renewed peace talks in Riyadh. With casualties rising from violence, discussions will address complex military and energy issues. The U.S.-UK relations face strain following remarks from Trump’s envoy, prompting calls for credible sanctions rather than conciliatory rhetoric.
Former President Donald Trump aims to establish a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia by Easter Sunday, coinciding with the significant date in both Western and Orthodox church calendars this year. This timeline allows the U.S. less than a month to facilitate a truce, particularly after fresh peace talks commenced in Riyadh. The context follows ongoing Russian bombings in Kyiv, resulting in civilian casualties including a five-year-old.
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov highlighted that negotiations are complex, involving technical challenges in discussions between military representatives and energy experts. As talks progress, a central focus will be achieving safe passage for vessels in the Black Sea, vital for regional security and economic stability.
During the Riyadh negotiations, U.S. officials will separately meet with representatives from both Russia and Ukraine. A notable agenda item will be the monitoring of a previously agreed 30-day truce regarding strikes on energy sites. This comes amidst tensions in the U.S.-UK relationship, with British politicians expressing concern over the reliability of American support against Russia.
Trump’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff attracted criticism by implying that President Putin is ‘super-smart’ and not necessarily a bad person, dismissing the UK’s efforts to support Ukraine as insincere. Former UK officials underscored the significance of credible sanctions rather than diplomatic compliments to effect change in the conflict.
Despite negative sentiments toward Witkoff’s remarks, Sir Keir Starmer indicated he remains on good terms with Trump, asserting an understanding of the intentions driving his actions in regard to the Ukraine conflict. The events surrounding these discussions signal ongoing geopolitical complexities and the delicate balance of military, diplomatic, and economic interests at play in the region.
In summary, Donald Trump’s desire for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia by Easter underscores the urgency of diplomatic efforts amid rising civilian casualties from ongoing conflicts. The talks in Riyadh mark a new phase of negotiations, although complexities loom as both sides navigate significant military and technical issues. The U.S.-UK relationship is also strained within this context, suggesting that effective negotiation will require a firm and strategic approach rather than mere diplomatic gestures.
Original Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
