In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the United States will restore military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Ukrainian officials agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal brokered by the Trump administration. The agreement was reached during high-level talks between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday.
The move comes after weeks of strained relations between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, culminating in a tense Oval Office meeting last month that led to the suspension of U.S. military assistance.
A joint statement from the U.S. and Ukraine described the talks as “important steps toward restoring durable peace for Ukraine.”
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Russia Yet to Respond as U.S. Pushes for Agreement
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the U.S. delegation, emphasized that the next step is securing Russia’s agreement to the ceasefire.
“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 said.
There has been no immediate reaction from Moscow, but Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova hinted that the Kremlin might engage in discussions, saying, “We do not rule out contacts with U.S. representatives over the next few days.”
However, Russian nationalist commentators have strongly criticized the ceasefire, with former Kremlin adviser Sergei Markov calling it “an attempt to stop the Russian offensive and steal victory for Russia.”
Ukraine’s Conditions: Prisoner Exchanges and Security Guarantees
In a video address, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the U.S. negotiations and outlined Ukraine’s conditions for the ceasefire, including:
- An end to Russian air and sea attacks
- The release of Ukrainian military and civilian prisoners
- The return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia
In an English-language social media post, Zelenskyy acknowledged Trump’s role, stating: “The American side understands our arguments and considers our proposals. I am grateful to President Trump for the constructive conversation between our teams.”
Can a Ceasefire Lead to Peace?
Experts say both Ukraine and Russia seek guarantees that any ceasefire will not be temporary.
“They both want to ensure that this is not just a pause,” said Samuel Charap, a Russia specialist at the Rand Corporation.
For Russia, this means:
- Securing control over occupied Ukrainian territories
- Blocking Ukraine’s deeper integration with NATO
For Ukraine, the priority is international security commitments to prevent future invasions.
Ukraine’s Survival Hinges on U.S. Support
The suspension of U.S. aid had left Ukraine and its European allies deeply concerned about the U.S. shifting its stance on the war.
“We have no way out,” said Ukrainian commander Roman Kostenko. “We have to manage or we will die. It’s not even a choice.”
Ukrainian lawmaker Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze warned that abandoning Ukraine could damage America’s global standing.
“Is it in the interest of the United States to look weak?” she asked. “Because I think a Ukrainian defeat would be a direct defeat of the United States.”
What Happens Next?
- The U.S. will resume military aid and intelligence support for Ukraine.
- Ukraine awaits Russia’s response to the ceasefire deal.
- The ceasefire is set to last 30 days but can be extended if Russia agrees.
- If Russia rejects the deal, the U.S. has signaled it will hold Moscow responsible for prolonging the war.
With Trump’s diplomatic maneuvering, all eyes are now on Russia’s next move—and whether this ceasefire can be the first step toward ending the three-year conflict.
