White House reacts to Putin's "truce": Trump wants permanent ceasefire

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt has commented on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's announcement of a "truce" timed to coincide with Victory Day.

Source: Leavitt in a press briefing on Monday, 28 April, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In response to journalists' questions about the meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the weekend, Leavitt said that Trump was "increasingly frustrated with the leaders of both countries".

Referring to Putin's proposal today, Leavitt said the US leader "wants a permanent ceasefire".

"He [Trump] wants to see a permanent ceasefire. I understand Vladimir Putin this morning offered a temporary ceasefire. The president has made it clear he wants to see a permanent ceasefire first to stop the killing, stop the bloodshed," she said.

Leavitt said that while Trump "remains optimistic" that a deal can be struck, "he is also being realistic as well, and both leaders need to come to the table to negotiate their way out of this".

Background:

• On 28 April, the Kremlin leader announced another "truce" in the Russo-Ukrainian war, during the Victory Day celebrations. The 72-hour ceasefire is to start at midnight on 8 May and last until midnight on 11 May.
• Recently, Zelenskyy stressed that his meeting with Trump at St Peter’s in Rome has the potential to be historic. The White House also called the meeting very productive.
• After the meeting, Trump criticised Russia's recent strikes on civilian cities in Ukraine and expressed doubt that the Kremlin ruler wants to end the war, threatening him with sanctions.

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