Ceasefire in Ukraine: US Pushes for Agreement, Russia Stays Resolute

The U.S Administration has intensified efforts to secure a full ceasefire in Ukraine, aiming to conclude negotiations in the coming weeks. This push was highlighted during talks on April 17, 2025, in Paris, where American and European representatives convened to develop a strategy for swiftly halting hostilities and establishing a framework for sustainable peace. According to Bloomberg sources, the meeting participants unanimously supported Trump’s primary objective: to bring an end to the conflict, which has persisted for over three years.

During the Paris discussions, US officials underscored that achieving a ceasefire is a top foreign policy priority for the new administration. The US is actively seeking to create conducive conditions for dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv, with the intent of stopping the fighting as soon as possible. While European partners expressed their willingness to collaborate with Washington, some voiced concerns about potential concessions that might be offered to Russia in any peace agreement.

This initiative aligns with Trump’s campaign promises to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. In February 2025, the White House had set an ambitious goal for a ceasefire by Easter, April 20. However, this timeline has proven challenging. Earlier negotiations in Saudi Arabia resulted in Kyiv agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia’s demands—such as a halt to arms supplies to Ukraine—were met with resistance from EU nations, who feared rearming the Russian military.

Complicating matters are rising tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which have escalated since a public disagreement at the White House in February. Zelensky is demanding long-term security guarantees in any agreement, including the deployment of peacekeeping forces, a stance supported by France and Britain. Meanwhile, Trump is urging Kyiv to make compromises, emphasizing that the continuation of the conflict endangers millions of lives.

Moscow has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue but with specific conditions. The Kremlin insists that Ukraine renounce its NATO aspirations and acknowledge territorial changes, demands that Kyiv finds unacceptable. In March, President Vladimir Putin stated his support for a ceasefire but expressed the need to address “nuances,” such as the cessation of Western military aid to Ukraine. Both sides have accused each other of violating a moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure, established following Trump’s conversation with Putin on March 18.

As talks between Russia and the United States progress, they have entered a difficult phase, according to Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov. He highlighted that the negotiation process is hindered by the positions of Kyiv and certain European countries, which he labeled as “war hawks” advocating for continued military action. Despite these challenges, communication with American officials will persist, though no specific agreements have emerged, including plans for a new phone call between Presidents Putin and Trump, as noted by presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

A significant concern remains the impending expiration of the moratorium on strikes