Ukraine Proposes Ceasefire Amid US-Ukrainian Talks
Ukraine announced its willingness to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire with Russia following high-stakes discussions with the United States in Saudi Arabia. In response, the US declared that it would lift restrictions on military aid and intelligence sharing, marking a significant shift in its policy.
Donald Trump urged Vladimir Putin to reciprocate, saying, “That’s a total ceasefire. Ukraine has agreed to it. And hopefully, Russia will agree to it.” If Russia accepts, this would be the first ceasefire since the war began in 2022.
See the post by Volodymyr Zelenskyy:
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.
Our position remains absolutely clear: Ukraine has been… pic.twitter.com/7EZXTVA52C
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 11, 2025
Russia’s Immediate Response and Ceasefire Uncertainty
Despite Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal, Russia launched an air attack on Kyiv just hours later. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed that air defences intercepted the strikes.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to visit Moscow to propose the ceasefire directly to Putin. However, the Kremlin has not yet confirmed its stance. Russian media reports suggest that Putin might speak with Trump later this week.
See the post by Defense of Ukraine:
The 🇺🇦 warriors say “Thank you!” to the American people for their support!
📹: Land Forces pic.twitter.com/KGTR9VHCwy
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) March 11, 2025
Global Reactions to Ceasefire Proposal
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Russia now holds the key to peace, adding, “If they [Russia] say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.”
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the agreement an important step toward peace, urging world leaders to “redouble efforts for a lasting and secure peace.”
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the progress made but insisted that Kyiv needs “robust security guarantees” in any ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the agreement a “crucial step toward peace.”
Ukraine’s Stand on the Proposal
The official joint US-Ukrainian statement confirmed Ukraine’s commitment to the ceasefire, stating that it “expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine remains committed to achieving lasting peace. “Ukraine is ready to accept this proposal—we see it as a positive step,” Zelenskyy stated. However, he added that the United States must now convince Russia to do the same.
US Restores Military Support and Economic Proposals
Following the talks, the US announced that it would immediately resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Additionally, Trump revived discussions on a controversial minerals deal, which would grant the United States a 50% stake in Ukraine’s mineral wealth. The agreement, according to the statement, aims to “expand Ukraine’s economy and guarantee long-term prosperity and security.”
Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations in Saudi Arabia
The talks in Jeddah lasted several hours, with Ukrainian officials pushing for a temporary ceasefire covering both air and naval forces to allow for further peace discussions.
US officials, including Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, wanted assurance that Ukraine was willing to make “difficult compromises” if Russia was expected to do the same.
Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to peace, stating, “We are ready to do everything to achieve peace.”
Russia’s Next Move Remains Unclear
Putin must now decide whether to accept the ceasefire proposal or risk further straining relations with the White House. The Kremlin has so far remained cautious, with Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warning against premature celebration. “You always need to hope for the best but still be prepared for the worst,” he said.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Russia has intensified its military efforts. The defence ministry reported the recapture of over 100 square kilometres of territory in the Kursk region, an area seized by Ukraine seven months ago.
Escalation Before the Talks
Just before the Jeddah discussions, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow since the war began. The Russian defence ministry reported 337 drones were launched overnight, killing two people and causing significant damage.
The Road Ahead for Peace Talks
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Russia will agree to the ceasefire. Konstantin Kosachev, a senior Russian politician, stated on social media that “any agreements will be on our terms, not American.”
US officials remain hopeful but cautious. Rubio summarised the situation, saying, “If Russia refuses, we’ll know what’s stopping peace.”
For now, Ukraine has taken a significant step toward ending the war—but the final decision rests with Moscow.
