Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire with Russia proposed by the U.S. following recent talks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will communicate this proposal to Russia, highlighting the need for their acceptance. The discussions are seen as a pivotal moment in diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict, with negotiations aimed at long-term peace and enhanced U.S. security assistance for Ukraine.
Ukraine has expressed its readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as proposed by the United States following talks held in Saudi Arabia. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that he would relay this offer to Russia, emphasizing that it is now their decision. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged that it is the responsibility of the U.S. to persuade Russia toward this positive initiative.
The discussions in Jeddah marked the first formal engagements between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations after straining interactions between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump. The joint statement from Denmark included a renewed commitment from the U.S. to enhance intelligence sharing and security assistance, which had previously been halted due to recent diplomatic tensions.
Rubio announced the proposal at a press conference, asserting that Ukraine is “ready to stop shooting and start talking,” and indicated that a refusal by Russia would reveal their impediment to achieving peace. He reiterated, “Today we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations.”
This ceasefire proposition exceeds Zelensky’s initial offer of a limited truce in specified areas and comes in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, during which Moscow has gained control over approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. Responding to inquiries on the status of relations between Trump and Zelensky, Rubio stated that he hopes peace is what is on the mend, rather than simply a personal dynamic.
The situation escalated the prior night with a dron strike in Moscow that resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, ramping up existing tensions. In preparation for future dialogues, Trump and Zelensky also aim to finalize a critical minerals agreement, which would provide the U.S. with access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits in exchange for security commitments.
Rubio indicated that while this particular trade agreement was not the focus of Tuesday’s discussions, it remains a significant negotiation point between the countries. Notably, U.S. pressures have escalated around the urgency of reaching a ceasefire while President Trump has reiterated the potential for further sanctions against Russia as an impetus for a resolution in the ongoing conflict.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia presents a significant development in the ongoing conflict. With U.S. mediation, both nations are urged to engage in immediate negotiations aimed at achieving lasting peace. Despite the challenges posed by recent military actions, the discussions reflect a potential pathway toward tranquility and security in the region, conditional on Russia’s acceptance of the proposal.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
