By Gill Bikram Singh 
On Tuesday, Ukraine announced its acceptance of a 30-day immediate ceasefire proposed by the United States. In addition, Ukraine agreed to begin peace talks with Russia immediately. This decision came after over nine hours of negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As part of the agreement, the US will lift the ban on military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Ukraine Welcomes Ceasefire Proposal
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, said, “Ukraine is ready for peace. We welcome this proposal and view it positively.” However, he emphasized that the ceasefire will only be effective if Russia agrees to abide by its terms.
In his daily address, Zelensky remarked, “The US must now persuade Russia to accept this proposal. We hope this will be the first step toward a fair and lasting peace.”
US: “The Ball is in Russia’s Court”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the talks, stated, “Now the ball is in Russia’s court. We will present this proposal to them and hope they will say ‘yes’ to peace.” He added that if Russia accepts the ceasefire, the next phase will involve detailed negotiations for establishing permanent peace between the two countries.
US-Ukraine Agreement on Mineral Development
In addition to the ceasefire, the US and Ukraine have agreed to finalize a comprehensive agreement focused on the development of Ukraine’s critical mineral resources. The Trump administration considers this agreement vital for Ukraine’s long-term security and prosperity.
Discussions on the mineral agreement had been ongoing but were recently delayed due to tensions between President Donald Trump and Zelensky. The renewed push aims to accelerate economic cooperation and strengthen Ukraine’s resource independence.
Ceasefire Terms and Next Steps
According to a joint statement, the 30-day ceasefire “can be extended by mutual agreement” but depends on Russia’s approval and simultaneous implementation.
Ukraine has confirmed its willingness to halt all military activities, including air, sea, and ground attacks, on the condition that Russia does the same. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Tsibiha called the ceasefire a “serious step toward peace”, highlighting that it would strengthen the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the US.
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said, “With today’s successful talks, the question is no longer ‘if’ but ‘how’ this war will end.” Waltz also confirmed that discussions included long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
Awaiting Russia’s Response
The next step depends on Russia’s reaction. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, is expected to visit Moscow in the coming days to present the ceasefire proposal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
So far, Russia has not made any official comment. However, a Kremlin spokesperson previously stated that Russia is open to peace, but any agreement would be based on its own conditions.
Drone Attack on Moscow Before Talks
Just hours before the talks in Jeddah, Ukraine reportedly carried out its largest-ever drone attack on Moscow, resulting in three casualties. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 337 Ukrainian drones, suggesting the attack may have been part of a strategy to increase pressure on Russia.
As the world watches, Russia’s response to the ceasefire proposal remains the key to the next phase of peace negotiations.