Ukraine has backed a US proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire and agreed to enter negotiations with Russia, marking a significant development in the ongoing war. The announcement followed high-level talks in Jeddah on Tuesday, where both nations discussed steps toward de-escalation.
Breakthrough in US-Ukraine Talks
In the first major diplomatic engagement since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tense White House meeting, the United States pledged to restore military aid and fast-track a minerals deal with Ukraine. A joint statement confirmed Ukraine’s willingness to implement the ceasefire, contingent on Russian reciprocity.
“Today we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and immediate negotiations,” said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “We’ll take this offer now to the Russians and we hope they’ll say yes to peace. The ball is now in their court.”
The joint statement further emphasized that “Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties.” However, its implementation depends on Russia’s acceptance and concurrent action.
US Push for Peace Talks
US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated that discussions with Russia would follow, noting that the focus was now on “how” rather than “if” the war would end.
The ceasefire proposal came amid heightened tensions, as Ukraine launched its most extensive drone attack on Moscow overnight, targeting the Russian capital and surrounding areas. The attack left three people dead and was described by Kyiv as a strategic move to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into accepting a ceasefire.
“This is an additional signal to Putin that he should also be interested in a ceasefire in the air,” said Andriy Kovalenko, a national security official focused on countering disinformation.
US-Ukraine Relations and Military Aid
Ukraine entered the Jeddah meeting seeking to restore US military aid, intelligence-sharing, and satellite imagery access—resources that were suspended following Zelensky’s public fallout with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
During the talks, Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to achieving peace. “We are ready to do everything to achieve peace,” he told reporters at the summit.
Russia’s Position and Response
The Kremlin has yet to formally respond to the proposed ceasefire. Russian government spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated that there were no peace talks currently underway, dismissing concerns that Ukraine’s drone attacks could disrupt negotiations.
“There are no (peace) negotiations yet, so there is nothing to disrupt here,” Peskov said. He also declined to comment on Russia’s stance regarding the partial ceasefire, stating that further discussions were required before taking a position.
Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and claimed to have recaptured 12 settlements in its Kursk region, potentially as a bargaining tactic ahead of talks.
US Seeking Concessions from Ukraine
Rubio signaled that the Trump administration welcomed Ukraine’s move toward a partial ceasefire, noting that concessions were necessary to bring the conflict to an end.
“I’m not saying that alone is enough, but it’s the kind of concession you would need to see in order to end the conflict,” he told reporters.
While no final deal was expected from the Jeddah talks, Rubio stated that discussions would continue and that the US would relay Ukraine’s position to Russia.
The US and Russia have recently resumed diplomatic engagement, breaking a freeze imposed by former President Joe Biden. Trump’s administration, however, has taken an unpredictable stance, at times blaming Ukraine for the war and siding with Russia at the UN.
Rubio also indicated that the US would push back against any “antagonistic” rhetoric toward Russia at the upcoming G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, signaling Washington’s cautious approach toward balancing diplomacy and military support.
Next Steps
As the ceasefire proposal awaits Russia’s response, the coming days will be critical in determining whether this marks a turning point in the war or simply another diplomatic impasse. Both Ukraine and the US have framed the ceasefire as a necessary step toward peace, but its success hinges on Moscow’s willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations.