U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Jeddah after more than eight hours of talks with Ukrainian delegates, said the plan would be taken to Russia next.
“Our hope is that the Russians will answer ‘yes’ as quickly as possible,” Rubio told reporters, referencing President Donald Trump. “Every day the war continues, people suffer on both sides.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled readiness to discuss peace, but Moscow has repeatedly stated it opposes short-term truces and remains firm on its security requirements—namely, that Ukraine withdraw from four regions partly occupied by Russia.
A prominent Russian lawmaker declared on Wednesday that any compromise must be “on our terms, not on America’s.”
Change in Washington’s stance
The U.S.-Ukraine agreement marks a stark shift from a tense February 28 White House meeting where Trump, long skeptical of Ukraine aid, froze weapons shipments and cut off intelligence-sharing with Kyiv. The two countries now say they will finalize a comprehensive accord “as soon as possible,” including deals to develop Ukraine’s critical mineral resources.
In a sign of warming relations, Trump said he intends to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to the White House soon. Zelenskiy, who traveled to Jeddah but did not join Tuesday’s talks, called the ceasefire proposal “positive” and said it would halt frontline combat once Russia agrees.
Ukraine insisted that European partners be part of any final peace framework. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday.
Following the U.S.-Ukraine talks, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held consultations with several European foreign ministers, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Europe stands “ready to help reach a just and lasting peace.”
Resumed military assistance
Mike Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, confirmed that the renewed U.S. assistance would initially draw on stockpiles previously approved under former President Joe Biden.
As the ceasefire proposal moves forward, both sides have continued offensive operations.
Russia launched a major push in its Kursk region to remove Ukrainian forces holding a strategic outpost, while Ukraine carried out its largest drone attack on Moscow since the conflict began—killing at least three workers and temporarily closing four of the capital’s airports.
(jh)
Source: Reuters, PAP