Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that Ukraine had agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States. This decision followed important peace talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.
Zelensky explained that the ceasefire would cover the entire front line in the conflict with Russia, not just the air and sea, and that the ceasefire would begin once Russia agrees. “Ukraine accepts this proposal, we consider it positive, we are ready to take such a step, and the United States of America must convince Russia to do so,” Zelensky said.
Following the talks, the U.S. and Ukraine issued a joint statement, saying that the U.S. would lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume military assistance to Ukraine immediately.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that now it is up to Russia to take the necessary steps to end the war. “We hope that they’ll say yes, that they’ll say yes to peace. The ball is now in their court,” he said.
President Donald Trump expressed his support for the ceasefire plan and said he would talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin about it, possibly this week.
This agreement comes after a difficult period in U.S.-Ukraine relations, following a public dispute between Trump and Zelensky less than two weeks ago.
The timing of these talks is critical as Russia’s forces continue to push into the Kursk region of Russia, an area Ukraine attacked back in August, threatening Ukraine’s territorial bargaining power.
In the joint statement, the U.S. and Ukraine emphasized that Kyiv was ready to accept a 30-day ceasefire, which could be extended by mutual agreement. It would only go into effect if Russia agrees to implement it.
Zelensky said Ukraine’s proposals for the ceasefire included a “silence” in the air and at sea, the release of Ukrainian prisoners, and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia.
The two sides also agreed to work quickly on a deal involving rare minerals, which would help expand Ukraine’s economy and strengthen its long-term security.
The talks in Jeddah were held just hours after Russia claimed it had been hit by a major Ukrainian drone attack. Moscow’s defense ministry said it had shot down 337 drones, 91 of which were targeting the Moscow region. Local officials reported three deaths and at least six injuries. If confirmed, this would be one of Ukraine’s largest drone strikes on Russia since the invasion.
Currently, Russia controls nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory, up from about 7% when it launched its invasion in February 2022. Around 6 million Ukrainians are now living under Russian occupation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear he wants control of Ukraine’s eastern regions, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia controls nearly all of Luhansk, most of Donetsk, and significant portions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
