Kyiv, Ukraine — After more than three years of war, Ukraine has agreed to a U.S.-backed proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, contingent upon Russia’s acceptance of the same terms. The agreement, announced in a joint statement from Washington and Kyiv, marks a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict.
Ceasefire Terms and Humanitarian Measures
The proposed truce would halt all military operations, including missile strikes, drone attacks, and naval confrontations in the Black Sea, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Additionally, the pause would facilitate humanitarian efforts, such as prisoner exchanges, the release of detained civilians, and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred to Russia.
“This is a positive step,” Zelenskyy wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “We are ready to accept this proposal, and now the decision is in Russia’s hands.”
Trump to Negotiate With Putin
U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the ceasefire, stating that “it takes two to tango.” The deal comes after eight hours of negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, involving U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.
However, Moscow has yet to agree to the plan. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told state media outlet TASS that discussions with U.S. officials “are not ruled out,” but did not indicate whether Putin would accept the terms.
Key Developments
- U.S. Resumes Military Support: Washington will resume sharing intelligence with Ukraine and restart security assistance, which had been restricted under Trump’s administration.
- No Territorial Concessions—Yet: While Rubio previously suggested that Kyiv would need to make territorial compromises, Ukrainian officials say land concessions were not discussed in Jeddah.
- Europe’s Role Remains Unclear: While Kyiv has urged European involvement in peace talks, Trump’s administration has not committed to any security guarantees for Ukraine.
What’s Next?
The international response remains mixed. European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, welcomed the proposal and are expected to convene talks on a potential peacekeeping coalition. Meanwhile, Russia’s response will determine whether the ceasefire takes effect.
The situation remains fluid, with Trump’s team expected to present the proposal to Moscow within days. If accepted, the 30-day ceasefire could begin immediately, marking the first significant pause in hostilities since the war began.
COMMENTS