Ukraine Accepts U.S. Proposal for 30-Day Ceasefire, Negotiations with Russia in Landmark Jeddah Talks

Ukraine has agreed to a pivotal 30-day ceasefire proposal from the United States and committed to immediate negotiations with Russia, marking a significant development in the three-year-long conflict. The decision was made during high-level talks held in Jeddah on Tuesday, following a period of intense fighting and strained diplomatic relations.

In the first such meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials since President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent public confrontation with the White House, the U.S. committed to restoring military aid and promised to finalize a deal on Ukrainian minerals “as soon as possible.” The ceasefire, which could be extended by mutual agreement, is contingent on Russia’s acceptance and simultaneous implementation, according to a joint statement released after the meeting.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the agreement, saying, “Today we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations. 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 U.S. government also emphasized that “Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace,” signaling that Moscow’s response would play a critical role in determining whether the ceasefire holds.

The ceasefire proposal came amid heightened tensions, including Ukraine’s largest drone attack on Moscow, which left three people dead and struck multiple areas of the Russian capital. The attack, which involved hundreds of drones, was described by Ukrainian officials as a signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to accept a ceasefire and negotiations.

Ukraine’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, expressed the country’s readiness for peace, stating, “We are ready to do everything to achieve peace.” Kyiv hopes the attack will push Russia to the negotiating table, despite Moscow’s ongoing escalation of strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and its recent claims of retaking territories in the Kursk region.

Mineral Deal and U.S. Military Aid

A significant issue discussed during the Jeddah meeting was the restoration of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, including intelligence sharing and satellite imagery access, which were previously restricted due to a diplomatic fallout between Ukraine and former U.S. officials. Zelensky, who met with Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler in Jeddah on Monday, also faced pressure over a potential agreement that would give the U.S. access to Ukrainian mineral resources. This deal was pushed by former President Donald Trump but was not signed during Zelensky’s recent trip to the White House.

In response to questions about the drone attacks potentially derailing the peace talks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov downplayed the significance, stating that “there are no negotiations yet, so there is nothing to disrupt here.” He also refrained from commenting on Russia’s stance on the proposed ceasefire, suggesting that the U.S. would learn more from Ukraine about its willingness for peace.

Russia’s Escalating Strikes and Political Maneuvering

While Ukraine has agreed to pursue peace talks, Russia has ramped up its military strikes, intensifying the conflict. Moscow recently claimed to have retaken 12 settlements in the Kursk region that Ukraine had captured in a bid to gain leverage for future negotiations.

U.S. officials, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, have expressed optimism about the ceasefire and the prospect of peace, with Waltz noting, “It’s now a question of how, not if, the war will end.” Rubio also indicated that this move towards a partial ceasefire could be a significant concession that might pave the way for a broader resolution to the conflict.

Trump’s Shift and U.S. Diplomacy

The ongoing discussions also come amid a shift in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration, which has recently raised eyebrows with its critical stance on Ukraine’s role in the war and its support for Russia’s position at the UN. Rubio and Waltz have sought to manage these complexities, signaling that the U.S. would oppose any “antagonistic” rhetoric toward Russia in upcoming Group of Seven (G7) meetings.

As the U.S. and Ukraine move forward with their ceasefire proposal, the focus now shifts to Russia’s response and whether it will reciprocate in good faith to bring an end to the conflict. The outcome of these talks could have far-reaching implications for the future of Ukrainian sovereignty and the broader geopolitical landscape.