US Says It Would Welcome Extension of Russia-Ukraine Easter Ceasefire Beyond April 20

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce
Urges Extension of Easter Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine
Welcomes Possibility of Prolonged Truce Amid Ongoing Tensions

The U.S. government stated on April 20 (local time) that it would "welcome an extension of the ceasefire beyond Sunday (April 20)" in response to the temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine for Easter.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement that day, "We have confirmed President (Vladimir) Putin of Russia's declaration of a temporary ceasefire," adding, "We will continue our efforts to achieve a full and comprehensive ceasefire."

President Putin declared an Easter ceasefire on April 19. This came just one day after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Russia's passive approach to ceasefire negotiations and warned that the United States could withdraw from mediation talks to end the war. The ceasefire period is set for 30 hours, from 6:00 p.m. on April 19 to midnight on April 21, Moscow local time.

The U.S. government's position is interpreted as urging an extension of the ceasefire, as proposed earlier by Ukraine, with the deadline for the ceasefire approaching. Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed extending the ceasefire beyond Easter following President Putin's unilateral declaration of a temporary truce. However, Russia maintains that the ceasefire will end as scheduled.