Putin's Easter ceasefire gimmick bodes ill for Trump's peace deal

The bald man has not moved for more than three years.

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She arrived to take on a cargo of sunflower oil on the day before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and, along with 28 other foreign-owned vessels, has been trapped in the port of Mykolaiv, some 60km from the front line, ever since.

The ship's fate shows the difficulty of doing business with Vladimir Putin. President Donald Trump wants a quick end to the "horrible" Ukraine war. But Mr Putin prefers conflict. On March 25th American officials announced that they had secured what was interpreted to be a ceasefire in the Black Sea. But, as fighting continues, talk of that has sunk without trace. Indeed, Mr Trump's entire peace push is listing fast. On April 18th he said he would "take a pass" if there was no progress soon.

Russia's promised 30-hour ceasefire for Easter, which took effect at 6pm on April 19th, has been violated dozens of times along the front lines, according to Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, although aerial attacks do seem to have lessened.

The Easter gimmick should have come as no surprise. Mr Putin has recent form, in the Black Sea. The White House said last month that both sides had agreed to ensure safe navigation and eliminate the use of force in the Black Sea. But Russian officials then said there would be a maritime ceasefire only after their country had received relief from some sanctions. Ukraine in turn demanded that Russian naval vessels stay out of the western part of the sea. The result has left Ukrainian officials baffled. No Ukrainian port facilities have been hit since then but attacks on the cities in which they are located have continued.