Throwing the Ball: Ukraine Agrees to Ceasefire, Russia Mulls Terms

Ukraine agreed to a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia following negotiations in Saudi Arabia this week, a proposal that could end more than three years of hostilities if Moscow agrees to it, which analysts say is doubtful, Euronews reported.

The deal comes after high-ranking US and Ukrainian officials met in the coastal city of Jeddah earlier this week to discuss a cessation of hostilities and smooth relations with Ukraine following a heated White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb. 28.

The two parties released a joint statement Tuesday confirming their commitment to an immediate 30-day truce that could be extended. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who participated in the Saudi talks, said he will now present the offer to Moscow, adding that “the ball is in the (Russians’) court.” He cautioned that if Moscow does not agree to the deal, “we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that Moscow was “carefully studying” the terms and awaiting further details from US negotiators, according to Radio Free Europe.

Following the meeting, the Trump administration announced it would immediately resume intelligence sharing and military support for Kyiv, which had been suspended earlier this month, NBC News wrote. Russia is reportedly angry at the resumption and also at Trump’s threat of new sanctions.

Zelenskyy, who did not attend the Jeddah talks, welcomed the development as a “positive step” and emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to peace “from the first moment of the war.”

In addition to the ceasefire, Ukraine and the US also agreed to expedite a separate deal on developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources, which had been stalled since the Feb. 28 meeting. The joint statement described the minerals deal as essential for “expanding Ukraine’s economy and guaranteeing its long-term prosperity and security.”

Meanwhile, Russian lawmakers and commentators have portrayed the ceasefire proposal as a diplomatic victory for Moscow, claiming that Washington’s involvement in the ceasefire talks underscores Ukraine’s weakened position.

Former Kremlin adviser Sergei Markov suggested that Russia might counter the proposal by demanding a 30-day suspension of Western arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Trump administration officials are planning to meet with their Russian counterparts shortly to discuss the ceasefire terms. There is also speculation that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could hold a direct phone call soon.