Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has expressed his willingness to agree to a ceasefire with Russia after productive discussions with the United States. In a message on Telegram, he stated, "we are ready to take this step," urging the US to persuade Russia to follow suit.
This development comes after a significant meeting in Saudi Arabia, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the next move is up to Russia. He remarked, "the ball is now in Russia’s court," indicating that Moscow must agree to the proposed terms. US President Donald Trump also voiced his hope for a total ceasefire soon, highlighting the urgency of ending the conflict.
Zelenskyy confirmed that the talks included discussions about restoring US military assistance and intelligence support to Ukraine. Following the nine-hour negotiations, the US State Department announced that it would lift the pause on aid to Ukraine immediately.
As part of the proposed plan, both sides are expected to agree on a 30-day ceasefire, which could be extended if successful. A joint statement from the US and Ukraine stressed that cooperation from Russia is crucial for achieving peace. Zelenskyy noted that the proposal involves not just military matters but also humanitarian issues, including the exchange of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia.
While the talks have been described as a step forward, there are concerns about Russia’s reliability in adhering to ceasefire agreements. Ukrainian officials remain cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the need to see tangible results.
Rubio stated that the US will present the offer to Russia, making it clear that Ukraine is prepared to halt hostilities and engage in dialogue. Trump echoed this sentiment, stating that Ukraine has agreed to a total ceasefire and expressing hope that Russia will reciprocate.
So far, Russia has not officially responded to the proposal. However, prior to the talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that Zelenskyy is not genuinely interested in peace, framing the situation in a negative light.
Zelenskyy has reiterated that Ukraine is ready for peace and called on Russia to demonstrate its willingness to end the war. The outcome of this diplomatic effort remains uncertain, but it marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict.