Following a brief, temporary cessation of hostilities during Easter, President Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding potential negotiations between Russia and Ukraine this week. His statement, released via his social media platform Truth Social, centered on the prospect of increased trade opportunities for both nations with the United States – a nation he characterized as “thriving.” The ongoing conflict, now exceeding three years in duration, has resulted in devastating casualties on all sides, numbering tens of thousands.
However, tensions remained high. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly disputed any genuine commitment to peace, asserting that Russian forces had repeatedly violated the agreed-upon ceasefire. He detailed a staggering number of breaches – “more than two thousand times” – with specific instances highlighted in the Pokrovsk region, citing significant shelling and attacks.
Zelenskyy adopted a strategy of measured retaliation: “Actions are always more eloquent than words,” he declared. He indicated that Ukraine would respond to Russian aggression with commensurate force, stating their intent to “respond in kind.”
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered a halt to all military operations along the front lines during the Easter period, setting a midnight deadline on Sunday for the ceasefire’s temporary suspension. Zelenskyy responded by suggesting a longer extension if the initial truce proved sustainable, believing that “thirty days could give peace a chance.” He expressed deep skepticism regarding promises from Moscow, citing historical patterns of manipulation and preparing Ukraine’s defense forces for any potential breach.
Adding another layer to the situation was a prediction made by Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” he stated that the likelihood of Russia fulfilling its commitments rested entirely with Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the President’s history of unreliability. Fitzpatrick highlighted the importance of understanding Putin’s motivations and expressed confidence in Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s ability to negotiate a just agreement, acknowledging the complexities of the conflict’s historical context.
Zelenskyy reiterated the Ukrainian people’s fervent desire for peace, emphasizing that this aspiration stemmed from their nation’s prior peaceful nature before the wrongful Russian invasion. “President Zelensky, the Ukrainian people desperately want peace. They’ve always wanted peace,” he stated. “But it has got to be a just and lasting peace.”
Further developments included an 80-page minerals deal slated for signing between Ukraine and the United States within one week, according to initial reports – potentially scheduled for April 26th by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Details surrounding the agreement remained sparse; however, recent reporting from Bloomberg suggested a reduction in U.S. demands regarding repayment of aid, shifting from an initial request of $300 billion to a revised figure of $100 billion.
Michael Dorgan (Fox News Digital) and the Associated Press contributed to this report.