Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — In a surprising turn of events, Ukraine has agreed to a U.S. proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire following high-level talks in Jeddah. The announcement came after hours of intense discussions between senior officials from both nations, signaling a potential breakthrough in the ongoing conflict.
The joint statement released after the talks emphasized that the truce could be extended by mutual agreement. It stated, "The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace."
Washington Resumes Support
As part of the agreement, Washington has pledged to lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine. The statement highlighted the importance of humanitarian relief efforts during the ceasefire period, aiming to alleviate the suffering of civilians affected by the conflict.
Negotiations for Lasting Peace
Negotiators from both countries have agreed to appoint teams to begin talks aimed at reaching a lasting peace. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with Russian representatives, while Ukraine stressed the need for European partners to be involved in the peace process.
Leaders from the two nations also agreed to finalize "as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources to expand Ukraine's economy," potentially boosting the nation’s economic prospects.
Key Figures at the Talks
The high-level meeting saw the participation of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Ukraine’s delegation included President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Saudi officials, including Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and National Security Advisor Musaed bin Muhammad Al-Aiban, facilitated the discussions.
Optimism and Cautions
At a press conference following the talks, Secretary Rubio expressed hope that Russia would accept the proposal for a temporary ceasefire. "The ball is in their court," he said, urging Russian cooperation to pave the way for peace.
President Zelenskyy described the meeting as "good and constructive" on social media platform X. He outlined Ukraine’s proposals, including a ban on missile and drone strikes, cessation of naval hostilities, and confidence-building measures aimed at releasing captives and returning Ukrainian children from Russia.
"If Russia agrees, the ceasefire will take effect immediately," Zelenskyy announced, highlighting Ukraine’s readiness to halt hostilities.
U.S. President Trump Weighs In
U.S. President Donald Trump briefly addressed the ceasefire announcement outside the White House, stating, "Ukraine has agreed to it, and hopefully Russia will agree to it." When asked about inviting President Zelenskyy back to the White House, Trump responded, "Sure, absolutely."
Trump also mentioned plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing hope that Russia would accept the terms. "I hope it’ll be over the next few days," he said regarding the prospect of a total ceasefire.
Russia’s Response
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told state news agencies, "We do not rule out contacts with U.S. representatives within the next few days." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that Moscow expected Washington to provide details about the talks with Ukraine but cautioned against premature optimism.
European Leaders Welcome Progress
European leaders responded positively to the developments. French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his support, stating, "The ball is now clearly in Russia’s court." He reaffirmed France’s commitment to a "solid and lasting peace, backed by robust security guarantees for Ukraine."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment, calling Ukraine’s acceptance of the ceasefire a positive step and emphasizing the importance of Russian cooperation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the talks as a potential step toward "a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine." She reiterated the European Union’s readiness to play an active role in upcoming peace negotiations.
Hope for Peace
The agreed-upon ceasefire marks a significant moment in the effort to end the conflict that has deeply affected Ukraine and strained international relations. All eyes are now on Russia’s response, as the world watches with cautious optimism for the prospect of lasting peace in the region.
