Ukraine Accepts U.S. Peace Proposal in Saudi Talks
In a significant move towards peace, Ukraine has agreed to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire deal during discussions in Saudi Arabia.
In a pivotal development in the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine has accepted a ceasefire proposal facilitated by the Trump administration. The agreement was reached during a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, attended by key figures including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, alongside Ukrainian and Saudi officials.
Secretary Rubio announced that the proposal, which Ukraine has agreed to, hinges on Russia’s acceptance. “We’ll take this offer now to the Russians, and we hope that they’ll say yes,” Rubio stated, emphasizing the urgency of halting the violence. The ceasefire is set to last for 30 days, contingent on Moscow’s approval of the outlined terms.
In response to Ukraine’s acceptance, President Donald Trump has immediately lifted the pause on U.S. security assistance to Ukraine and resumed intelligence sharing. Rubio highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting, “Today people will die in this war. They died yesterday, and sadly, unless there’s a ceasefire tonight, they’ll die tomorrow.”
National Security Advisor Waltz added that the discussions have shifted focus from whether the war will end to how it will end. The next phase of negotiations will tackle critical issues such as the return of children abducted by Russia and the repatriation of prisoners of war.
Both the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations have agreed to appoint negotiating teams to work towards a lasting peace that ensures Ukraine’s long-term security. The U.S. has committed to discussing these proposals with Russian representatives, while Ukraine has stressed the importance of involving European partners in the peace process.
Although the primary focus of the talks was on peace, Rubio mentioned that a mineral deal, though important, would be discussed at a later date. The ceasefire proposal marks a crucial step towards potentially ending the prolonged conflict between Ukraine and Russia.