The United States agreed on Tuesday to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after talks in which Kyiv said it would accept a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in its conflict with Russia, the countries said in a joint statement.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. would now take the offer to Russia, and that the ball is in Moscow's court.
"The President wanted this war to end yesterday... So our hope is that the Russians will answer 'yes' as quickly as possible, so we can get to the second phase of this, which is real negotiations," Rubio told reporters, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, after more than eight hours of talks in Jeddah.
The Kremlin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, and Russia, which has been making advances, now holds around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
Rubio said Washington wanted a full agreement with both Russia and Ukraine "as soon as possible."
"Every day that goes by, this war continues, people die, people are bombed, people are hurt on both sides of this conflict," he said.
How Moscow would respond was far from certain.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is open to discussing a peace deal. But he has ruled out territorial concessions and has said Ukraine must withdraw fully from four Ukrainian regions claimed and partly controlled by Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in Saudi Arabia but did not participate in the talks, said the ceasefire was a "positive proposal," that covers the frontline in the conflict, not just fighting by air and sea.
In Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and Ukraine also said they agreed to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources, a deal that has been in the works for weeks and was thrown into limbo by an acrimonious White House meeting between the Republican U.S. president and Zelenskyy last month.
A top aide to Zelenskyy said options for security guarantees to Ukraine were discussed with U.S. officials. The aide did not detail the options. Security guarantees have been one of Kyiv's key aims, and some European countries have expressed willingness to explore sending peacekeepers.
Rubio said the plan will be delivered to the Russians through multiple channels. Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, told reporters that he would be talking to his Russian counterpart in the coming days.
In the joint statement, Ukraine reiterated that European partners should be involved in the peace process. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will be at the White House on Thursday.
UPENDED ALLIANCE
Under Trump, Kyiv's one-time staunchest ally Washington has upended its policy on the war and piled pressure on Ukraine.
Waltz said the initial resumption of military assistance for Ukraine would entail equipment from U.S. stockpiles. This was approved by former U.S. President Joe Biden, using so-called Presidential Drawdown Authority, before he left office, and stopped by Trump after the acrimonious White House meeting.
As the diplomacy plays out, Ukraine's battlefield positions have been under heavy pressure, particularly in Russia's Kursk region where Moscow's forces have launched a push to flush out Kyiv's troops, which had been trying to hold a patch of land as a bargaining chip.
Ukraine overnight launched its biggest drone attack on Moscow and the surrounding region yet, showing that Kyiv can also land major blows after a steady stream of Russian missile and drone attacks, one of which killed 14 people on Saturday.
The attack, in which 337 drones were downed over Russia, killed at least three employees of a meat warehouse and caused a short shutdown at Moscow's four airports, Russian officials said.
Ukraine said its drones struck an oil refinery near Moscow and a facility in Russia's Oryol region, while Hungary said crude oil shipments via Russia's Druzhba pipeline were suspended following the attack.
U.S. and Russian officials met in the Saudi capital in February in a rare encounter between the former Cold War foes. The discussions were focused largely on restoring ties after a near-total freeze on official contact under Biden, Trump's Democratic predecessor.
© Thomson Reuters 2025.
79 Comments
TaiwanIsNotChina
It was always russia that was not coming to the negotiating table. It is a shame Ukraine has to try to get these manchildren from the US to understand that.
Newgirlintown
Russia’s ‘special military operation’ to ‘denazify’ Ukraine. Notice how that’s never mentioned anymore but Ukraine’s 500 billion dollars worth of rare minerals are. Hmmm.
Underworld
A win for Ukraine. Good luck bringing Russia to the table without ridiculous requirements like disarmament of Ukraine or limiting arms supply to Ukraine.
JJE
Too early to jump to conclusions:
The US-Russia meeting has not occurred yet.
We don't know what decent concessions will be offered to Moscow.
So, far not looking good - Russia doesn't need a ceasefire that allows Kyiv regime forces to rearm (i.e. Minsk III).
Coming on the top of the route of UAF in Kursk, this certainly is a turnaround - just 10 days Zelensky was bragging there would be no ceasefire. Yermak even wrote an opinion piece in a UK paper just hours before the meeting saying there would be no such thing. The drone attack on civilian targets in Moscow is hardly consistent with it either.
One caveat: if Washington offers to oust Zelensky so there can be some legitimacy in Kyiv - that could be the only thing that saves this (speculation though).
Blacklabel
Positive development to getting this war over and done.
Peter Neil
trump will need to see a chiropractor soon from the whiplash of his about faces.
JJE
Important to put this in context: UAF is being routed big time in Kursk. It's a shocker and basically reached mop-up-operation mode. As mentioned, the weather window in that sector has allowed crisp, blue spring skies with the low clouds and fog banks lifting, unlike the south of main line of contact. This video demonstrates it - note the whirlybirds and multiple pairs of fast movers roaring over.
https://x.com/clashreport/status/1899367445132972181
One can't help Kyiv's sudden enthusiasm ceasefire is in big part related to this event.
Underworld
JJE
None.
And let's face it, Putin doesn't want peace, he wants political control of Kyiv.
No, he wasn't.
No he didn't.
Russia need to be pressured into coming to the table.
That will never happen. That is exactly what Putin wants.
There currently is legitimacy in Kyiv, just as there was legitimacy in London during WW2.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Are you under the impression that any work has been done by this administration to get russia to the negotiating table? On the upside, we are told that aid and intelligence are being unfrozen which might bring the war closer to being done.
TaiwanIsNotChina
The good news is that nothing is on paper so any inappropriate actions by the US manchildren can mean the "concessions" are back off the table.
You misunderstand the popularity of Zelenskyy for putting so many Russians into the ground.
Underworld
Blacklabel
We expect Trump to break his promises and let his voters down.
Just like he hasn't brought grocery prices down.
Just like he tanked the stock market.
But Trump isn't any closer to peace because it has always been difficult to convince Putin.
Putin doesn't want any peace that doesn't demilitarize Ukraine and Ukraine will never agree to that.
Blacklabel
yes, Trump will be talking to Putin to wrap this up later in the week, possibly even tomorrow.
JJE
Only wishful thinkers insist Russia actually "needs" a ceasefire more than Ukraine. Russia is only entertaining it for the sake of improving US relations. Militarily-speaking, Russia is in control and can plow forward at will until Ukraine surrenders.
From Moscow's perspective, Ukraine will be able to get a long-awaited respite and replenish its army with people, equipment and weapons. Meaning that military supplies to Ukraine are no longer even tied to the conclusion of a ceasefire but have resumed regardless of it. Consequently, whether Russia agrees or not, the US will continue to arm Kyiv.
On the face of it, this proposal is nothing more than a conditional "Minsk 3.0" with a ceasefire along the main line of contact without guarantees of ending the conflict, but with the continuation of arming Ukraine by Europe and the US = totally unacceptable to Moscow, which wants this resolved through legally binding agreements that address its root causes.
Thus, agreeing to such a suspended truce with the continued armament of the enemy, but without pressure on him on the ground and in the air, would be the utmost stupidity on the part of the Russian military-political leadership, when they clearly have the initiative.
Having said that, as mentioned, the US-Russia meeting in response to this has not even happened, so don't put the cart before the horse.
Plus, we don't know what decent incentives have been made to the Russian side.
Very hard to judge this without the full facts.
fallaffel
Now the world (or at least Republicans) will be reminded that the alleged war criminal in charge of the Moscow regime is the one standing in the way of peace. How they forgot is a bit hard to understand.
Grant
Good news shouldnt be taken for granted I hope full heartdly that the war ends
John-San
Please refer to the data to which you claim Zelenskyy was bragging about there will be no ceasefire. I have following this closely and there was no bragging on Zelenskyy part. Since the Russian attacking the freedom of Ukrainian I have never heard or seen Zelenskyy brag at all. Matter of fact the only bragging came in the form of some idiot bragging about ending the war in 24 hours. That is bragging and only idiots brag about what they can never achieve. Are you parroting some Fox News commentator? You are a miss guided fool to claim such BS.
JJE
Witkoff wasn't at the meeting. Trump made an unverified statement about meeting Putin. Nothing written in stone yet. While it's hard to nail down facts, it is even harder to opine on what this offer is or even the seriousness of the offer, before the more significant meeting with Moscow. And more importantly, why the latter would even entertain such an idea, that appears on the face of it to offer nothing decent.
A UAF withdrawal from the Donbass would be a sensible start that could get the ball rolling.
The Kursk cauldron - and it's a smallish one now - is getting crushed 110%. That is the only provable fact of these proceedings that anyone can ascertain.
JJE
Zelensky said in a place called the oval office, which is in the WH, just 10 days ago, that he DID NOT want a ceasefire. He said this to the assembled cameras of the world press pack. This was one of the things that precipitated the acrimonious exchange with Trump, which surely one doesn't need reminding about. Rewatch it.
Underworld
JJE
This is wrong on a number of counts. Putin doesn't actually want territory, he wants political control of Kyiv.
Therefore, putting more troops into the meat-grinder and using up Russia's tank stockpiles not only weakens Russia, but it doesn't move towards that goal.
Putin only wants peace negotiations to disrupt Ukraine. The best that he can hope for is to get rid of Zelenskyy and have the possibility of getting a puppet into power.
Russia have pretty much culminated in the Donbas and need NK soldiers for Kursk.
And don't forget Russia's economy isn't looking good.
Underworld
JJE
I agree. All Russian troops withdrawing from Donbas would be a reasonable way forward.
Nope. It is not.
fallaffel
So what? Now you're saying Russia is the one who doesn't want a ceasefire. The alleged war criminal Putin is now the sole barrier to stopping the fighting immediately.
Underworld
JJE
He was talking about a permanent ceasefire. He said nothing about a 30-day ceasefire.
OkinawaRider
POTUS team working hard on delivering peace to Ukraine as promised. Developments moving in the right direction.
lincolnman
Trump's Ukraine war strategy - called RTD...."Reward The Dictator"...
It's all just surrender and appeasement...
kurisupisu
It seems that the US has forced Zelensky to see sense and guns are now silent.
What a positive development!
Ah_so
Ukraine is seeking peace, but is Russia?
Russia started the war, but will it agree to end the war?
Underworld
OkinawaRider
Getting Ukraine on board has never been the sticking point. Zelenskyy wants peace.
Getting Putin to agree, without ridiculous demands, has always been the challenge.
I have said it before and I'll say it again, Putin doesn't want peace.
ok1517
Why accept a ceasefire proposal / agreement which will be broken by Putain sooner than later?
History has shown that he can't be trusted at all, neither can Trump.
Putain will use this to strengthen his marauding hordes and continue the genocide in Ukraine.
Trump on the other hand will use it to finally get his "piece of the Ukrainian cake"!
And by the way, where in the proposal does it say: return of all illegally occupied areas, reparations, return of all abductees and POWs, sentencing of war criminals, a 50 kilometer buffer zone on Russian turf, and so on. Now that would be desirable! Everything else will haunt Ukrainians in the near future for many years!
JJE
One is free to pretend Kursk - or the "patch of land... to be used as a bargaining chip" as the article puts it, isn't being squeezed. The article mentions a 'push' and 'pressure'.
The truth is that it is over there by and large. The pipeline gambit ran two battalions into their rear areas, precipitating the collapse. It has turned into another disaster zone, with history repeating itself.
Here is a TV broadcast report documenting the liberation of Sudzha town itself (note the fine Spring aviation-friendly weather again):
https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1899568481886212434
Yrral
Why should Putin quit,when Trump is enabling Putin
Ah_so
As one of a long line of Kremlin proganda pushers who pop up on JT from time to time (and then disappear as quickly as they arrive) I have noticed through the course of this discussion that your approach to this news has been all over the place.
While I know that your line of arguement will be clearer in a few hours, the key thing remains that Ukraine wants peace and the aggressor, Russia, seems not to be interested (yet).
WoodyLee
Congrats Pres. TRUMP, Ukraine, and Russia.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Lol, ok. The eternal optimism of the MAGA.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Fascinating. You believe the war is already over?
tooheysnew
Neither Putin nor trump can be trusted.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Zelenskyy was under the impression he was dealing with some form of adult prior to that meeting. Now that he knows he is not, we can go through this theater to try to get Trump back on the side of humanity and Ukraine.
tooheysnew
what exactly did trump do ?
Trump paused assistance to Ukraine because he didn’t get his way, like the spoilt child he is. He, as president, has done nothing to help Ukraine, & bowed down to every Russian demand
Fos
A reminder that the end game of the US administration is to loot the country of the rare earth and minerals with whichever concessions, something that suddenly the legacy media stops mentioning.
After provoking the conflict, trying to weaken Europe, and allowing the Texas oil companies to take over Russian gas (with more expensive LNG and polluting to the global environment), the White House realizes that the over $110 billions of dollars worth of weapons provided to Ukraine is not enough to support the recent records of US financial stocks, and the warlords of Wall Street told Trump that he needs to change direction with the negotiations.
OkinawaRider
TaiwanIsNotChinaToday 07:17 am JST
Are you under the impression that any work has been done by this administration to get russia to the negotiating table?
Absolutely, are you under the mistaken impression there hasn't? You are confusing this administration with the last one and its war enablers uninterested in peace. POTUS team moving at good speed towards fulfilling the election promise.
Underworld
Fos
You come up with the strangest fan fiction.
HopeSpringsEternal
It's more the fog of diplomacy now hopefully vs. war.
Clearly Ukrainians making serious concessions, because the tide has badly turned against them on all fronts, on the battlefield, domestically, and with their dozens and dozens of international $proxy partners, especially US.
Ukraine reminds me of Nissan, the status quo is a path to ruin, they critically need a new "business" model.
Underworld
HopeSpringsEternal
What concessions?
TaiwanIsNotChina
If russia is in Odessa are you going to tell us that this is all part of the Trump Peace Plan and Nobel prizes should be in the mail?
TaiwanIsNotChina
That's fine but they have to secure the resources first.
Still Putin's War
So Trump good/not good?
NOMINATION
All I see is a whole lot of complaining from someone that supposedly wanted peace and diplomacy with Ukraine. What gives?
HopeSpringsEternal
Anyone with common sense and objectivity knows that UA has fought bravely but have been steadily losing ground, troop morale and recruitment since 2023.
Kursk incursion or salient as some call it, really brought Zelenskyy's war judgment to the forefront, given massive losses now occurring there. Wrong time for Zelenskyy - nobody believes he'll survive as most Ukrainians want a new post war leader who can work well with DJT Admin.
Hard to know how motivated Russia is to achieve peace, but we're going to find out soon.
OkinawaRider
UnderworldToday 07:00 am JST
A win for Ukraine. Good luck bringing Russia to the table without ridiculous requirements like disarmament of Ukraine or limiting arms supply to Ukraine.
Interesting, since the last pro war WH administration supporters kept insisting that a win for Ukraine meant nothing short of Russians pushed out of all the territory they took and Putin in Hague. Certainly good to see reality settling in. Ceasefire proposal is indeed a win for Ukraine given the current circumstances . Russia will come to the table in good time too, their requirements will likely be different from what the last administration supporters imagined but that is a given. POTUS will work out an acceptable deal with Putin. Nobel Peace prize well deserved.
HopeSpringsEternal
Not written about much but's well understood by Mr. Putin, critically serious compromised nature of entire Democratic Party, due DOGE digital audit findings. Zelenskyy was in bed with top backers, the Democrats.
Tremendous amount of $damaging dirt connected to above including of course Ukraine war support.
Putin understands Zelenskyy's become isolated as a result, losing all his US protection and greatly angering DJT. Hardly an ideal set-up for peace negotiations, why Zelenskyy's likely to be out of the picture VERY soon.
JJE
The elephant in the room is the agreement announcement does not specify what conditions Ukraine agreed to.
This means the Rubio/Waltz short press conference, which is economic on detail and far too vague to read anything into.
Moreover, apart from this, the more important events are the upcoming meetings/talks between the two great powers themselves - US and Russia - that will establish what exactly is on offer here and just how consequential. Then we will see the Kremlin response as it takes two to tango.
This is a developing story: there is still a long way to go before fighting ends in this provoked proxy conflict or jump to hasty conclusions.
geronimo2006
I would expect Russia to demand major concessions as a precondition for a ceasefire. They know Trump is loves Putin and is more than willing to force it down Ukraine's throat. I think Ukraine is already withdrawing from Kursk as they understand they won't be able to use it as a bargaining chip anyway. Unfortunately for them they know Trump is about as good at negotiating as he is at diplomacy or running the economy.
bass4funk
Of course Zelenskyy was going to make this deal, he really had no other choice.
Underworld
HopeSpringsEternal
As has Russia. But Russians have suffered a lot more casualties.
Untrue. Zelenskyy is enormously popular in Ukraine.
OkinawaRider
General Zaluzhny is far more popular, which is why he was sent out of the way to be an ambassador in London. There are rumors he might replace Zelensky.
WoodyLeeToday 08:31 am JST Congrats Pres. TRUMP, Ukraine, and Russia.
Absolutely, the war will come to an end soon thanks to the efforts of President Trump. People of Ukraine and Russia will see peace again. All due to the US voters seeing the light, electing team Trump in a landslide and dismissing the other pro war party.
Blacklabel
I’m not quite sure how Ukraine gets the credit and the “win” for what Trump and his administration is doing to end the war, but whatever gets it over.
stormcrow
It’s a sad, sad when America has a president who’s more interested in helping the invader over the one who’s been invaded. Very sad.
Underworld
OkinawaRider
Untrue. Zelenskyy is enormously popular in Ukraine.
Nope. He is not.
Rumors, eh.
I think you are getting ahead of yourself. Trump has to get Putin to agree.
stormcrow
Why does Trump, and why do his MAGA supporters, love a dictator like Putin so much?
If you hate democracy so much, then you should all move to Russia.
OssanAmerica
Besides the fact that the guns, both Russian and Ukranian, are still far from silent, the only thing that Trump has "forced" Ukraine into is giving him something to take to Putin. Who by the way has no incentive to end his war of aggression. Nothing positive has been achieved at this point.
bass4funk
We don’t, but many of us (I included) don’t like Zelenskyy either. We love America and our national interests.
Not wanting my money going to Zelenskyy doesn’t mean, I like or support Russia, it means, I want a President that puts the US and our interests first, especially when you think all the money we gave to that country.
HopeSpringsEternal
Media reports Trump Admin busy meeting with Zelensky's domestic political rivals. As DJT wants elections held in Ukraine ASAP once peace formalized.
People of Ukraine will be learning more and more about Zelensky and nobody connected to reality expects this pending transparency to be 'net' positive for Zelenskyy.
Ukrainians know their relationship with Trump Admin is vital to their future, especially at this time, and will choose their leader based on this factor above all else.
JeffLee
This is all so fascinating. Most of Ukraine's mineral wealth is in the areas occupied by Russian troops. If the US gets a deal, there is no way it would tolerate the presence of Russian troops there. Putin would be forced to withdraw them, which would be humilating for him.
That's even more humiliating that having to turn to the North Koreans to defend his own territory. LOL.
OkinawaRider
Your assertion is clearly incorrect. See this Newsweek report for more information about Zaluzhny being more popular electoral choice than Zelensky .
https://www.newsweek.com/who-valery-zaluzhny-ukraine-zelensky-2033724 Amid the public fallout between D. Trump and V. Zelensky, The Economist reported Wednesday that it had obtained internal polling indicating that General Valery Zaluzhny—who was a key figure in the war against Russia—would beat Zelensky should a wartime election be held. Internal polling obtained by The Economist indicates that while Zelensky remains Ukraine's most popular politician, he would lose a future election to Zaluzhny by 30 percent to 65 percent, the magazine said.
Underworld
Blacklabel
Interesting because Putin is a murderer and dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine.
What do you have against Zelenskyy apart from him wanting to defend his country?
HopeSpringsEternal
Putin's simply giving North Korea a chance to affirm their recent mutual security self-defense agreement, make a lot of money, receive valuable combat experience and further promote weapons tech. proliferation to NK.
10K or so NK troops, rather minor as is Kursk, but a very important demonstration regarding their growing alliance.
HopeSpringsEternal
Many credible polls inside Ukraine have Zelenskyy at far less than 30% support, he's a dead-man walking, Ukrainians need a leader with constructive US relations.
GuruMick
"US to resume military aid to Ukraine "
My wife and I have arguments that last longer than this ...
OkinawaRider
stormcrowToday 09:52 am JSTWhy does Trump, and why do his MAGA supporters, love a dictator like Putin so much? If you hate democracy so much, then you should all move to Russia
This makes no sense. Trump was elected after decisively beating Harris in a fair election. The majority of US voters who chose MAGA are both patriots and pro democracy. Have all those who diss peace efforts and want the fighting to continue moved to Ukraine yet? Same line of thought.
Five Families
You know the one thing President Trump just keeps saying over and over.
He wants the killing to stop. Don't we all want that? Ukraine and Russia need to emabrace and end this madness. Ukraine and parts of the country are in rubble. The war should have never started. NATO needs to take a back seat here.
I hope these men can come to the table with open hearts and common sense.
Putin has ruled out territorial concessions and has said Ukraine must withdraw fully from four Ukrainian regions claimed and partly controlled by Russia.
This hands Putin a win for sure. Not the outcome I think the world wants. A knee may need to be bent here.
If this war contuines. All will be drawn in. Its not worth scortching the Earth over. Or sending millions to the grave.
TheGuitarist
I believe Russia has already given their terms for the ceasefire? Once Ukrainian Troops leave Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia and announce that they will not join NATO the ceasefire can strat immediately.
stormcrow
Treasonous for the U.S. not to give Ukraine the intel they needed to d off an invader and dictator.
stormcrow
Should say… defend themselves
fallaffel
That's their Christmas wish list. I think the alleged war criminal in charge will hear many voices from within Russia that are eager for a deal. Whether he listens to or stifles these voices is the question.
Blacklabel
constantly traveling around the world with his hand out expecting us to pay for it. While also trying to get into NATO to force our young people to die for his country.
plus several other more petty things that are personality/attitude based.
Blacklabel
because our conditions for it to resume were quickly met.
sorry he didn’t “resist” longer as you hoped.
stormcrow
Putin & Trump
Together again.
Heaven help us!
PoliticallyCorrect
Trump did it! Just two months into his term! Bravo
Deo Gratias
Donald Trump has done far more to effect peace in this situation in less than 2 months, than Joe Biden & Kamala Harris did in 3 years.
I wouldn't be surprised if a peace deal was finalized by Easter. Or Fathers' Day at the latest.
Thank heavens we have a U.S. president who knows how to negotiate, who knows when to be diplomatic and when to be tough with people, and who gets things done rather than just give us empty talk.
It would not surprise me if Trump's efforts end up meriting him a Nobel Peace Prize.
Not that I expect the "progressives" who give out such prizes to ever admit it.
Underworld
Blacklabel
What do you have against Zelenskyy apart from him wanting to defend his country?
And that's as bad as murdering your opposition or enemies?
itsonlyrocknroll
President Trump appears to have bluffed a peace deal of sorts.