High-level talks between Ukraine and the US delegation concluded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. In a joint statement issued after the talks, the US said it would resume security assistance to Ukraine and not block intelligence sharing. During the talks, Ukraine accepted the US proposal and agreed to a 30-day temporary ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump, responding to the ceasefire proposal at a White House event, said Ukraine had agreed to it and hoped Russia would support it. He indicated that he would hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and take the initiative to reach a mutual understanding.
During the talks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Saudi Arabia’s mediation and said that Russia should now accept the ceasefire terms and move forward with real peace talks. He credited US President Trump’s initiative for the success of the talks and made it clear that ending the war was the main objective.
The talks were attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Middle East Ambassador Steve Witkoff from the US side, while the talks were attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha, and Defense Minister Rustam Umarov from the Ukrainian side.
Meanwhile, speaking to Russian state news agency Tass, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova indicated that contact with US representatives could be made in the coming days.
On February 28, Ukrainian President Zelensky had a heated exchange with President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance at the White House. Since then, high-level talks between the United States and Ukraine have not taken place. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since President Trump suspended U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Currently, Kiev is making continuous efforts to improve relations with the United States.
It is now a matter of interest how Russia will respond to the proposed ceasefire. If Russia agrees, it is believed to be a significant step towards ending the war.
