Ukraine has agreed to President Trump’s proposed 30-day ceasefire plan at high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, but Russia’s immediate rejection threatens to derail peace efforts before they begin.
Quick Takes
- Ukraine accepted a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire during talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, contingent on Russian acceptance
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz led the American delegation in the negotiations
- The US has agreed to restore intelligence sharing and humanitarian aid to Ukraine following successful talks
- Russian officials have already signaled the agreement is “completely unacceptable” with formal rejection expected
- Both nations discussed framework for prisoner exchanges and returning displaced Ukrainian children
Ukraine Accepts US Ceasefire Proposal While Russia Balks
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Ukrainian officials agreed to a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire during high-level talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The ceasefire, which could be extended by mutual agreement, would immediately halt all hostilities across the entire front line, including missile, drone, and bomb attacks. However, initial reports indicate Russia has already rejected the plan, calling it “completely unacceptable” and raising questions about whether peace talks can move forward.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a formal statement confirming they “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, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation.” The ceasefire would freeze the conflict along current battle lines while opening the door to negotiations for a more permanent solution.
US Restores Critical Intelligence and Aid to Ukraine
As a result of the productive talks, the United States announced it would immediately lift the hold on intelligence sharing with Ukraine that had been in place since tensions rose between President Trump and President Zelenskyy. Additionally, the US committed to resuming humanitarian interventions that had been previously halted. This restoration of support signals improving relations between the Trump administration and Kyiv following weeks of strained communications that had left Ukrainian forces increasingly vulnerable.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz highlighted the significance of the diplomatic progress, stating, “We’ve gone from if the war is going to end — to now how the war is going to end.” This marks a notable shift in the administration’s focus toward concrete steps for resolution rather than questioning if peace is possible. Secretary Rubio echoed this sentiment in his remarks following the talks, emphasizing that “Ukraine is ready to start talking and stop shooting.”
Russia Signals Rejection as Trump Plans Putin Meeting
Despite Ukrainian acceptance, the ceasefire plan faces an uphill battle with Moscow. Russian State Duma Deputy Viktor Sobolev bluntly dismissed the proposal, stating, “The US will rearm Ukraine in 30 days of cease-fire and start the war anew – Russia will not go for it. I think that this is completely unacceptable. Some kind of temporary cease-fire. A temporary truce … is unacceptable.”
“Today, we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations to end this conflict in a way that’s enduring and sustainable and accounts for their interests, their security, their ability to prosper as a nation,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The diplomatic push is part of President Trump’s broader strategy to bring the Russia-Ukraine conflict to a close. Sources close to the administration indicate plans are underway for a direct meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, though no specific date has been set. Trump has previously emphasized the importance of direct negotiation, remarking, “It takes two to tango,” when discussing the peace process. Following Ukraine’s acceptance of the proposal, Trump told reporters, “Now we have to go to Russia and hopefully President Putin will agree to that, and we can get this show on the road.”
Humanitarian Relief and Economic Cooperation
Beyond the ceasefire, the talks in Jeddah addressed critical humanitarian concerns, including frameworks for exchanging prisoners of war, releasing detained civilians, and facilitating the return of displaced Ukrainian children. These humanitarian measures represent concrete steps to address some of the most pressing human costs of the conflict regardless of whether the broader peace plan moves forward.
The United States and Ukraine also made significant progress on economic cooperation, notably resuming discussions on a bilateral agreement that would leverage Ukraine’s substantial mineral resources for economic growth and security. This agreement, which had been affirmed by Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy before recent tensions, focuses particularly on Ukraine’s critical and rare-earth minerals that are vital to various industries including technology and defense.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the diplomatic progress, stating, “Ukraine welcomes this proposal. We see it as a positive step, and we are ready to take it. The United States must now persuade Russia to do the same. If Russia agrees, silence will take effect immediately.”
