Ukraine Accepts U.S.-Proposed 30-Day Ceasefire with Russia After Saudi Arabia Talks
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – In a major step toward ending the three-year conflict with Russia, Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States. This decision came after intense discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, hosted by Saudi Arabia, aimed at finding a path to lasting peace.
The breakthrough followed hours of tough negotiations in Jeddah, where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the American team. After the talks, both sides released a joint statement saying, “Today, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the warm hospitality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the United States and Ukraine made significant progress toward a lasting peace for Ukraine.”
The discussions highlighted Ukraine’s bravery in defending itself during the war, while also stressing the need to shift focus toward peace. Ukrainian leaders thanked President Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the American people for their support in helping Kyiv work toward a meaningful resolution.
As part of the agreement, Ukraine signaled its willingness to start a 30-day ceasefire right away, which could be extended if both sides agree. However, this depends on Russia also accepting and following through with the plan. The U.S. promised to reach out to Russia to encourage them to join the peace effort.
U.S. Restores Support to Ukraine
In another key outcome from the Jeddah talks, the U.S. announced it would immediately resume security aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. This reverses a ban put in place by President Trump just two weeks ago after a tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
The eight-hour meeting also tackled other urgent matters, including humanitarian aid, prisoner exchanges, the release of detained civilians, and efforts to bring back Ukrainian children forcibly taken during the conflict.
Next Steps: Negotiation Teams and European Involvement
Both nations agreed to soon name the officials who will form their negotiation teams to jumpstart peace talks and ensure Ukraine’s long-term safety. Ukraine also made it clear it wants its European allies to play a role in the process. After the recent fallout between Zelenskyy and Trump, many European countries had rallied behind Ukraine in its stand against Russia.
Another topic on the table was a potential deal involving Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, something President Trump had pushed for during Zelenskyy’s White House visit. That meeting ended in a public clash, but the Jeddah talks have revived hopes for an agreement.
With these developments, the stage is set for a critical push toward peace, though much depends on Russia’s response in the days ahead.