**Easter Ceasefire Fails as Ukraine and Russia Continue Fighting**
Despite Russia’s declaration of an Easter truce, the fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces continued, according to Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general. The ceasefire, which was supposed to start on April 19 at 6 p.m. local time and end on April 21 at midnight, failed to hold.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of nearly 3,000 ceasefire breaches during that period. Moscow also accused Kyiv of violating the truce, with Ukraine saying it would only carry out military actions in a “symmetrical” response to Russian attacks.
The failure of the Easter truce is a major concern for many, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who has ramped up pressure on Ukraine and Russia to secure a ceasefire in the coming days. Trump had threatened to pull U.S. support from the peace process altogether before saying there was a “very good chance” of a ceasefire agreement soon.
**A Glimmer of Hope?**
Despite the ongoing fighting, there are signs that both sides are willing to engage in talks. Zelensky has proposed a joint 30-day ceasefire on long-range missile and drone strikes against civilian infrastructure, while Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to “negotiations and discussions” with Ukraine regarding a ceasefire.
The U.S., the U.K., and France will hold another round of peace talks in London on April 23, following up on the recent Paris talks where the U.S. presented its ceasefire proposal. It remains to be seen whether these talks will bear fruit.
**Global Consequences**
The ongoing conflict has far-reaching implications for global politics and economies. Concerns about the U.S.’s credibility under Trump have been shared by roughly one-third of Republicans, while Russia’s actions have sparked worries about the country’s reliability as a supplier of goods.
In another sign of the complex dynamics at play, Russian officials have discussed reviving plans for a Trump Tower in Moscow to entice President Trump to reset relations. However, Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov said there were currently “no talks” of Trump visiting Moscow for Putin’s May 9 Victory Parade.
**Humanitarian Crisis Deepens**
The conflict has also taken a devastating toll on civilians, with many residential buildings and infrastructure targeted by Russian forces. At least three people were injured in a recent attack on a densely populated neighborhood in Ukraine.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, there are growing calls for an unconditional ceasefire to allow aid to reach those affected. President Zelensky has said he is still waiting for a clear answer from Moscow regarding a broader ceasefire.
In the meantime, Ukrainian representatives will meet with officials from the U.S., the U.K., and France in London on April 23, seeking a way out of the ongoing conflict.
