Ukraine agrees to 30-day truce in exchange for US military aid
Ukraine has agreed to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire, proposed by the United States, in the context of the ongoing Russian invasion of the Eastern European country. However, this measure is pending Moscow's acceptance of the same terms, according to a joint statement issued by officials on Tuesday night.
According to the joint US-Ukrainian communiqué, published after the talks in Jeddah, Kiev expressed its willingness to accept the US proposal to establish an immediate 30-day provisional ceasefire, which could be extended by mutual agreement between the parties. This truce is conditional on simultaneous acceptance and implementation by Moscow.
Likewise, both delegations agreed to appoint their respective negotiating teams with the aim of immediately starting talks aimed at reaching a lasting peace that guarantees the long-term security of Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will now take the proposal to Moscow, told reporters that ‘the ball is in Russia's court’ and warned that if the Kremlin does not accept the agreement, ‘we will unfortunately know what the impediment to peace is’.
The agreement marks a significant change of tone between the United States and Ukraine, as both countries demonstrate that they are in agreement in the ongoing negotiations. The head of the Ukrainian president's office, Andriy Yermak, said after the talks that Kiev is showing the world that it wants ‘a just and lasting peace’.
President Volodimir Zelensky, who did not participate in the talks with Saudi Arabia, said in a statement that Washington ‘understands (Ukraine's) arguments and proposals’.
If the Russian side accepts the conditions of a complete ceasefire ‘not only with regard to missiles, drones and bombs, not only in the Black Sea, but also along the entire front line’, added the Ukrainian leader, ‘the ceasefire will come into effect at that very moment’.
I received a report from our delegation on their meeting with the American team in Saudi Arabia. The discussion lasted most of the day and was good and constructive—our teams were able to discuss many important details.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 11, 2025
Our position remains absolutely clear: Ukraine has been… pic.twitter.com/7EZXTVA52C
‘Ukraine is ready for peace. Russia must also show whether it is willing to end the war or continue it. The time has come to know the truth,’ Zelensky concluded.
🚨 @SecRubio: "Today, we've made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations to end this conflict in a way that's enduring and sustainable." pic.twitter.com/M2YOm2xmRF
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 11, 2025
On the other hand, the Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it would immediately lift its suspension of military support for Ukraine and its intelligence sharing with Kiev.
This radical change on both issues came more than a week after the measures were imposed to push Zelensky into negotiations that could lead to a peace agreement with the Kremlin.
In addition to the truce and peace in Ukraine, officials from both countries met in Saudi Arabia to also address the possibility of reaching an agreement on minerals which, according to the statement issued after the meeting, will be agreed ‘as soon as possible’.
Awaiting Moscow's response
The Kremlin made no immediate comment on the statements made by the US and Ukraine. For her part, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, merely stated that negotiations with US officials could take place this week.
On the other hand, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that President Vladimir Putin is willing to negotiate an end to the war, although he did not specify what Moscow's demands are. ‘Our position is clear: Putin has reiterated on multiple occasions his willingness to engage in negotiations,’ the head of Russian diplomacy said, according to the Russian news agency TASS.
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel to Moscow later this week, where he could meet with the Russian president, AP reports.
In Moscow, hard-line politicians and military bloggers spoke out strongly against a possible ceasefire, arguing that it would benefit Kiev and damage Moscow's interests at a time when the Russian army has the upper hand. ‘A ceasefire is not what we need,’ wrote ultra-nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin.
Officially, Russia has not offered any public concessions so far. On several occasions, President Vladimir Putin has emphasised that Moscow is seeking a comprehensive solution and not a simple temporary truce.
In this sense, the Kremlin has expressed its willingness to cease hostilities, as long as Ukraine renounces its intention to join NATO and recognises the currently occupied regions as part of Russia. It should be noted that Russia has managed to seize almost a fifth of Ukrainian territory.
