In a significant diplomatic move, the United States announced plans to resume intelligence sharing and security assistance to Ukraine, a decision that comes following a landmark meeting involving various delegations. Both nations have agreed to form negotiating teams aimed at achieving an enduring peace that secures Ukraine’s future. This initiative was highlighted during a recent press conference by Senator Marco Rubio in Jeddah, where he conveyed Ukraine’s readiness to halt hostilities and engage in serious negotiations.
The statement released from the US-Ukraine discussions emphasized the joint commitment to initiate talks and work towards a comprehensive ceasefire. Uniquely, this proposed 30-day ceasefire extends beyond Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s initial suggestion of a partial truce limited to air and sea engagements.
In a show of cooperation, President Zelensky thanked Trump for his constructive role in the dialogue, expressing hope that Russia would respond positively to the ceasefire offer. He stressed the importance of clarity from Moscow about its intentions regarding the ongoing conflict, which escalated dramatically following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, resulting in Russia now controlling about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
At the White House, Trump was optimistic, suggesting that he would reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the proposal. “It takes two to tango,” he remarked, indicating the necessity of both parties agreeing to the deal for peace to prevail. Trump also mentioned a significant meeting scheduled with Russian officials, emphasizing his hopes for fruitful conversations regarding the ceasefire.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, especially as Moscow has remained relatively silent since the proposals were laid out. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova hinted that discussions with US representatives could occur in the coming days, marking a potential shift in dialogue dynamics.
Rubio poignantly highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that without a ceasefire, casualties will continue both in Ukraine and among civilians, referencing recent drone attacks in Moscow that resulted in loss of life. This underscores the pivotal moment in these negotiations, where the course of the conflict may significantly shift based on the forthcoming responses from Russia.