Ukraine Accepts Proposed 30-Day Ceasefire with Russia Initiated by U.S.
Ukraine is poised to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as proposed by the U.S., following recent diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will present this offer to Russia, urging acceptance for the sake of peace. The meeting marks significant engagement between the nations amidst ongoing tensions and violence.
Ukraine has expressed its readiness to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as suggested by the United States, following discussions conducted in Saudi Arabia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that he would relay this proposal to Russia, stating, “the ball is in their court.”
During this pivotal meeting in Jeddah, which marked the first formal discussions since a significant encounter between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelensky emphasized the necessity for the U.S. to persuade Russia regarding the ceasefire initiative. The collaborative statement issued by the U.S. mentioned intentions to resume intelligence sharing and security assistance to Ukraine, which had been halted after the contentious discussions.
In a press conference, Rubio expressed hope that Russia would accept the ceasefire, highlighting Ukraine’s willingness to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue. He noted, “Today we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations,” emphasizing the urgency of peace negotiations amid ongoing violence.
The proposed ceasefire surpasses Zelensky’s earlier request for a limited truce and comes amid continuing concerns as Russia maintains control over roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory following its invasion in February 2022. Rubio clarified that, despite their discussions, the critical minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine was not the primary focus but had been collaboratively discussed prior.
The U.S. delegation, which included prominent figures such as National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, met after a recent series of drone attacks that resulted in fatalities in Moscow. The war persisted on the ground as Ukraine reported drone attacks targeting its capital, Kyiv, while also claiming success in defending against a significant number of incoming drones.
Overall, achieving a quick resolution to the conflict remains a core objective for the U.S. presidency, adding pressure on Zelensky to contemplate a ceasefire despite the lack of immediate security guarantees from the United States. As the conflict continues, the international community awaits Russia’s response to the ceasefire proposal, critical for the prospect of peace.
In summary, Ukraine’s acceptance of the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire presents a crucial opportunity for diplomatic resolution amidst an ongoing conflict with Russia. The engagement between U.S. officials and both countries reflects a renewed effort to achieve lasting peace and security in the region. As negotiations progress, the outcomes remain contingent upon Russia’s response to this proposal, highlighting the fragile nature of the current circumstances.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
