Zelensky Proposes Easter Ceasefire to American Negotiators as Russia Continues Attacks

On April 1, 2026, during an online conversation with American negotiators, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed a proposal for a ceasefire during the Easter holiday, which could serve as a signal to all that diplomacy may achieve success. In his video address on the Telegram channel, he emphasized that 'different signals' are needed to facilitate peace negotiations.

The talks included American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, NATO chief Mark Rutte, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov, and other officials. Zelensky characterized these online discussions as 'positive.'

'We agreed that our teams will remain in close contact in the coming days to strengthen the security guarantees document between Ukraine and the United States,' Zelensky stated.

Kyiv has proposed a mutual pause in strikes on the energy infrastructure of both Russia and Ukraine during the Easter celebrations. Orthodox Easter is celebrated on April 12.

However, the Kremlin has already rejected this initiative and launched new attacks on Ukraine on the night of April 1, as well as throughout the day, targeting energy facilities and other civilian sites.

Throughout the day, over 700 Russian strike drones were reported to have struck regions in Western Ukraine.

'Ukraine has openly made this proposal to Russia. Russia responds with 'Shaheds' and continues its terrorist operations against our energy infrastructure and other facilities,' Zelensky noted.

Earlier, the president stated that negotiations with the U.S. would also serve to assess the current state of peace efforts and the prospects for a future trilateral meeting with Russia.

Negotiations mediated by the U.S. have not yielded significant results in recent months, as Russia continues to make territorial demands while Washington's focus shifts to the war with Iran.

Zelensky previously indicated that the Trump administration insists on a quick resolution to the war, emphasizing that Kyiv will not agree to any outcome that compromises Ukraine's interests.

The Ukrainian president claimed that Washington linked its proposed security guarantees to the withdrawal of Kyiv from Donbas, which was refuted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a lie.

Earlier, American and Ukrainian negotiators met in Miami at the end of March, more than a month after the last trilateral meeting with Russia in Geneva.