Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated today that Ukraine has accepted a 30-day ceasefire proposal from the United States, following crucial peace talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. This development signals a potential shift in the ongoing conflict, offering a window for de-escalation and dialogue.
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03-12, 2025Zelenskyy indicated after the meeting that the ceasefire accepted by Ukraine covers the entire front line of the conflict with Russia, extending beyond just air and sea engagements. This comprehensive approach aims to create a more stable environment for negotiations and prevent further escalation on any front.
Zelenskyy said, "Ukraine accepts this proposal, we consider it positive, and we are ready to take such a step, the United States must convince Russia to do the same." He also added that the ceasefire would commence the moment Moscow agrees to it, emphasizing the need for reciprocal commitment from both sides to ensure its effectiveness.
According to a joint U.S.-Ukraine statement, following the meeting, the U.S. announced it would "immediately lift the suspension of intelligence sharing and restore security assistance to Ukraine." The statement emphasized that Kyiv "expressed its readiness to accept the U.S. proposal for an immediate temporary 30-day ceasefire, which could be extended by mutual agreement and is subject to acceptance and simultaneous implementation by the Russian Federation." It also stated, "The United States will inform Russia that Russian reciprocity is key to achieving peace," highlighting the U.S. role in facilitating communication and encouraging cooperation.
The two sides also agreed to reach a rare minerals agreement "as soon as possible" to expand Ukraine's economy and safeguard the country's long-term security. Prior to this, a senior Ukrainian official stated that a new round of talks with the U.S. had a constructive beginning. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's chief of staff, said that "the meeting with the U.S. team had a very constructive start," and added that "we are working to achieve a just and lasting peace," demonstrating a commitment to finding a sustainable resolution.
The Ukrainian delegation met with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz, both members of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Rubio and Waltz had both held direct talks with Russia last month. Rubio stated before the meeting that the U.S. hoped to obtain more details regarding Kyiv's position and the possible concessions Ukraine was willing to make, adding that the U.S. was "in listening mode," indicating a desire to understand Ukraine's perspective and explore potential pathways to a resolution.
Yermak declined to outline what compromises his country could offer to reach a peace agreement. He said that security guarantees from the U.S. are "very important" so that Russia does not repeat its actions. The issue of security guarantees is one of the main sticking points between the U.S. and Ukraine. Kyiv has long stated that any ceasefire or peace agreement must be backed by Western security guarantees, as history shows that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not abide by agreements that do not include these guarantees, emphasizing the importance of robust assurances to prevent future aggression.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated while addressing the European Parliament that "there is an urgent need to fill the gap in Ukraine's military supplies and to provide Ukraine with credible security guarantees." She said, "Putin has proven time and again that he is a hostile neighbor. He cannot be trusted, he can only be deterred," highlighting the need for continued support and a strong deterrent against Russian aggression.
Yermak appeared to concede that security guarantees may not be on the agenda, as he emphasized to reporters that finding a way to start the peace process was the meeting's top priority. Prior to the meeting, Yermak told reporters in the lobby of the Jeddah Ritz-Carlton Hotel: "Now we believe it is necessary to discuss the most important issue: how to start this process. We are very open, very open. We want to have a very constructive, in-depth, friendly partner dialogue with our American partners," emphasizing Ukraine's willingness to engage in meaningful discussions to initiate the peace process.
The meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Jeddah occurred after Russia stated that it was subjected to a "massive" drone attack by Ukraine. The Moscow Defense Ministry stated that it shot down 337 drones, claiming that Ukraine launched them at Russia, including 91 targeting the Moscow region. Local officials said three people died and at least six were injured. If the figures are confirmed, the airstrike would be the largest against Russia since its invasion of Ukraine and an apparent attempt by Kyiv to demonstrate its strength, potentially influencing the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.
The meeting marks the first time Ukrainian and U.S. officials have met since the U.S. suspended all military aid to Ukraine after a disastrous meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy has since described the heated meeting as "regrettable" and stated that Ukraine is ready to negotiate an end to the conflict. However, he did not apologize to Trump. Rubio did not specify what compromises he hoped Ukraine would make in his remarks before Tuesday's meeting, but Trump has repeatedly suggested that Ukraine may need to give up some of its territory. So far, Ukraine has not indicated a willingness to do so, maintaining its stance on territorial integrity.
Russian forces currently occupy nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory, up from about 7% controlled by Moscow before it launched its unprovoked full-scale invasion in February 2022. Approximately 6 million Ukrainians live under Russian occupation. Putin has made it clear that he wants Moscow to gain full control of the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. According to the U.S. conflict monitoring organization Institute for the Study of War, Russia currently controls approximately 99% of the territory of the Luhansk region and 70% of the territory of the Donetsk region, as well as approximately 75% of the territories of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, highlighting the extent of Russian control and its strategic objectives in the region.
