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Ukraine has accepted a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, marking a potential breakthrough in the three-year conflict that began with Russia's 2022 invasion. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the agreement following high-stakes talks with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.
"Today, we've 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," Rubio stated after the meeting in Jeddah.
The Trump administration now plans to present the temporary ceasefire offer to Moscow. Russia has previously made demands including the removal of President Volodymyr Zelensky, recognition of seized territories as independent states, and prohibiting Ukraine from joining NATO.
"We're going to tell them this is what's on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now it'll be up to them to say yes or no," Rubio emphasized, effectively placing responsibility on the Kremlin to respond.
President Trump immediately lifted the pause on military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following the agreement. "The United States will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine," according to a document released by Trump's diplomats.
Trump made brief comments about the development while viewing Tesla vehicles at the White House with Elon Musk: "Very importantly, and I said it: Ukraine. Ceasefire. Just agreed to a little while ago. Ukraine has agreed to it, and hopefully Russia will agree to it."
The breakthrough comes just days after a contentious Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky that exposed tensions between the leaders. Despite this, Trump indicated Zelensky would be welcome back at the White House.
Ukrainian Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak expressed willingness to pursue peace, saying: "We are ready to do everything to achieve peace." Meanwhile, Russia has previously rejected temporary ceasefires, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating: "Firm agreements on a final settlement are needed."
The agreement puts significant pressure on Putin, who recently vowed to Russian soldiers' families that Moscow would never "give in." As CNN analyst Matthew Chance noted: "Just days ago, Trump claimed the Russians had 'all the cards.' Now, intentionally or not, he may have called Putin's bluff."
