Ukraine Ready to Halt Fighting for 30 Days
Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, a move proposed by the United States during high-level peace talks in Saudi Arabia. The offer, made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, now awaits Russia’s response.
“This is a positive step,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizing that it is now up to the U.S. to persuade Moscow to agree to the truce.
The First Official U.S.-Ukraine Talks Since White House Tensions
The negotiations in Jeddah marked the first formal discussions between the U.S. and Ukraine since the heated exchange between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. 
In a joint statement, the U.S. announced it would resume intelligence-sharing and security assistance to Ukraine, which had been suspended after the dispute.
Key Outcomes from the Jeddah Talks
- Ceasefire Agreement: Ukraine is “ready to stop shooting and start talking,” said Rubio.
- Next Steps: The U.S. will present the offer to Russia. If Moscow refuses, Rubio stated, “we’ll know who is blocking peace.”
- Ukraine’s Commitment: Kyiv reaffirmed its willingness to negotiate for a long-term security agreement.
Russia’s Response: Will Putin Agree?
The Kremlin has yet to respond to the ceasefire proposal. Earlier on Tuesday, Russia stated it would issue an official statement after being briefed by Washington, D.C. on the outcome of the talks.
At the White House, Trump expressed hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin would accept the ceasefire deal. “It takes two to tango,” Trump said, adding that major U.S.-Russia talks were scheduled for the next day.
Can Ukraine and Russia Find Common Ground?
The proposed 30-day ceasefire goes beyond Zelensky’s earlier call for a partial truce in the air and at sea. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that it was time for Russia to reveal its true intentions—whether it seeks peace or intends to continue the war.
Global Reactions and Europe’s Exclusion from Talks
The European Union has been sidelined from recent U.S.-Ukraine negotiations, sparking emergency meetings among European leaders. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, welcomed the developments but stressed that Europe must be part of any final peace agreement.
Rare Earth Minerals Deal Back on the Table?
A separate agreement involving Ukraine’s rare earth mineral reserves has also resurfaced. Ukraine previously offered the U.S. access to its reserves in exchange for security guarantees. However, this deal stalled due to tensions between Trump and Zelensky.
Rubio confirmed that the critical minerals agreement was not a topic of discussion in Jeddah but was being negotiated separately by U.S. and Ukrainian financial officials.
The War Continues Despite Talks
While diplomatic discussions took place, fighting on the ground escalated.
Major Drone Attacks on Moscow and Kyiv
- Moscow Region: A massive drone attack killed three people and injured 18 others, marking the largest assault on the Russian capital since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- Russian Retaliation: The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted 337 Ukrainian drones, including 91 over Moscow.
- Ukraine Strikes Back: Ukrainian forces reported shooting down 79 of 126 incoming Russian drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile targeting Kyiv.
