US envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Moscow this week, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed Tuesday. The announcement comes as Washington intensifies efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. President Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to end the three-year conflict swiftly but faces hurdles in securing concessions from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump pledged during his campaign to mediate a Moscow-Kyiv deal within 24 hours. Since returning to office three months ago, he has struggled to advance talks. Over the weekend, Trump expressed hope for a deal “this week,” despite minimal progress on even a temporary truce.
Kremlin Warns Against Rushed Ceasefire
Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned against rushing ceasefire talks Tuesday. He told state TV the conflict remains too “complex” for rapid solutions. “Setting rigid timelines risks undermining viable settlements,” Peskov emphasized. Moscow controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, with tens of thousands dead since the 2022 invasion.
Russia declared a surprise 30-hour Easter ceasefire, but attacks resumed Monday. Ukrainian officials reported fresh strikes on Myrnograd, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, killing four civilians. Kyiv dismissed the truce as a “marketing operation” to placate global allies. “Putin aims to prevent Trump from losing patience,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told FranceInfo radio.
London Talks Begin
Ukraine’s allies will meet in London Wednesday to align on potential peace terms. European leaders fear reduced US support if Trump withdraws military aid. President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated demands for an “unconditional ceasefire” and proposed a 30-day halt to strikes on civilian sites. Putin countered by accusing Kyiv of militarizing civilian areas.
Russian drones struck Myrnograd Tuesday, killing three and injuring two. In Zaporizhzhia, guided bombs killed one and wounded 23, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported. Images showed collapsed apartment walls and bloodied survivors. Kharkiv and Kherson also faced attacks, with 13 wounded. Meanwhile, Russia claimed capture of a Donetsk village, signaling renewed offensives.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently presented a conflict resolution plan in Paris. Both Rubio and Trump warned of diminishing US patience, hinting at potential withdrawal. Many Ukrainians fear a US-led deal may favor Moscow, leaving critical territories under Russian control.
With Witkoff’s Moscow visit and the London summit, global eyes remain fixed on ceasefire prospects. However, entrenched positions and ongoing violence suggest a long road ahead. Will diplomacy prevail, or will escalation redefine the battlefield?
