US-Ukraine talks: Ukraine agrees to a 30-day ceasefire if Russia also adheres to it

During the talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine declared its readiness to introduce a 30-day ceasefire, provided that Russia also adheres to it, as a joint statement following the meeting of the delegations of Ukraine and the United States in Jeddah reads.

“Ukraine has expressed its readiness to accept the U.S. proposal for the immediate introduction of a temporary, 30-day ceasefire, which may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, provided that the Russian Federation accepts and simultaneously complies,” the statement said.

The United States makes clear to Russia that reciprocity on the part of Russia is key to achieving peace.

The statement said that the delegations discussed the importance of prisoner-of-war exchanges, the release of detained civilians, and the return of forcibly displaced Ukrainian children during an expected ceasefire.

The delegations also agreed to finalize the composition of their negotiating teams and immediately begin negotiations to achieve a sustainable peace that will ensure Ukraine’s long-term security.

“The United States has committed to discussing these specific proposals with Russian representatives. The Ukrainian delegation once again emphasized that European partners should be involved in the peace process,” the statement said.

The presidents of the United States and Ukraine also “agreed to conclude a comprehensive agreement on the development of Ukraine’s critical mineral resources as soon as possible to strengthen Ukraine’s economy and guarantee Ukraine’s long-term prosperity and security.”

The statement also said that the US was lifting a pause in military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States will submit a proposal for a 30-day “ceasefire” in Ukraine to Russia and hopes for Moscow to accept it.

Rubio said that Ukraine had supported the US proposal to “agree to a ceasefire and begin immediate negotiations to end the conflict in a way that is lasting and sustainable and takes into account their interests, security, and ability to prosper as a nation.”

“We hope that they will say yes— that they will say yes to peace. The ball is now in their court,” the US Secretary of State said.

Rubio also noted that Ukraine “took concrete steps” at the meeting and hopes that Russia “will take steps in response.”

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that at a meeting in Saudi Arabia, the United States proposed a complete ceasefire for 30 days, not only with regard to missiles, drones, and bombs but also not only in the Black Sea but also along the entire front line.

“Ukraine accepts this proposal; we consider it positive; we are ready to take such a step; and the United States of America must convince Russia to do so. We agree to the proposal, and if the Russians also agree, the ceasefire will be implemented immediately. Ukraine is ready for peace. Russia must show its readiness to end the war or continue the war,” Zelenskyy said.

US President Donald Trump said he plans to talk to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin about a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Trump told reporters outside the White House that he would speak with Putin after the Ukraine-US talks in Saudi Arabia.

“It takes two to tango, as they say, right? So, I hope he will agree, and I think it will be 75%; the rest is the conclusion of the document and, well, negotiations on positions on the ground and so on,” he said.

The US president expressed hope that the ceasefire could be implemented “in the next few days.”

On March 11, representatives of Ukraine and the United States held talks in Jeddah that lasted about eight hours. It was the first official meeting between Ukrainian and American officials since Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump sparred at the White House on February 28.