On Tuesday, Ukraine consented to a U.S.-proposed immediate 30-day ceasefire with Russia, contingent upon reciprocal adherence from Moscow. This development emerged from discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, announced the agreement, stating, “We’ll take this offer now to the Russians, and we hope that they’ll say yes.” Rubio emphasized that Ukraine’s willingness to halt hostilities represents a significant step toward peace. He added, “We hope the Russians will reciprocate.”
The U.S. administration has committed to resuming security assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, which had been paused, contingent upon Russia’s acceptance of the ceasefire. This move underscores the U.S. dedication to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and regional stability.​
The proposed ceasefire is designed as a temporary measure, extendable by mutual consent, to facilitate comprehensive peace negotiations. Key issues to be addressed in subsequent talks include the return of children allegedly abducted by Russia and the exchange of prisoners of war.
The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has resulted in nearly a million casualties. The international community remains hopeful that this ceasefire will serve as a foundation for lasting peace in the region.​
