Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal put forward by the US, a move that could pause the three-year war with Russia if Moscow reciprocates. The agreement was reached during high-stakes negotiations in Saudi Arabia between US and Ukrainian officials, where Washington also committed to resuming military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
The deal comes just two weeks after a heated Oval Office confrontation between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where US military support was frozen. But with Ukraine now agreeing to the ceasefire, Trump is shifting pressure onto Vladimir Putin to accept the terms.
Trump, who has long positioned himself as the dealmaker-in-chief, told reporters at the White House: “Hopefully, Putin will agree, and we can get this show on the road. It takes two to tango.”
Why it matters
- If Russia agrees, this would mark the first negotiated pause in hostilities since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. A ceasefire would not only provide immediate relief to Ukraine’s battered front lines but could also serve as a starting point for broader peace talks.
- However, the Kremlin remains noncommittal and is expected to present its own conditions. Russia has a history of violating ceasefires, and Putin may use this opportunity to demand long-term territorial concessions or security guarantees that Ukraine and its Western allies are unlikely to accept.
- US secretary of state Marco Rubio made it clear that the onus is now on Moscow: “If the Russians say no, we will know what the impediment is here.”
The big picture
- The Jeddah talks lasted over eight hours and were led by Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz.
- In return for Ukraine’s acceptance of the ceasefire, Trump agreed to lift the freeze on military aid and intelligence sharing, which had been paused for over a week.
- Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to meet Putin in Moscow on Thursday to discuss the proposal.
- The US-Ukraine joint statement indicates that the ceasefire could be extended beyond 30 days “by mutual agreement”.
- Ukraine’s European allies will play a role in the peace process, but the extent of their involvement remains unclear.
- Meanwhile, Russia has been advancing on the battlefield, particularly in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops are struggling to hold onto a strategic foothold. Ukrainian forces have also intensified drone attacks on Russian territory, signaling that Kyiv is still prepared to fight if the ceasefire collapses.
What they’re saying
- Trump: “Hopefully, Putin will agree, and we can get this show on the road. It takes two to tango.”
- Zelenskyy: “Ukraine is ready for peace. Russia must show whether it is ready to end the war.”
- Rubio: “The ball is now in their court. If they reject this, the world will see who is prolonging the war.”
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov: “We are studying the proposal and awaiting details from Washington.”
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “The ball is now in the Russian court. Russia must now agree to a ceasefire and an end to fighting too.”
Zoom in: The terms of the ceasefire
The ceasefire, if implemented, would cover all active front lines—not just aerial and missile strikes, but also ground combat in contested regions.
Ukraine has pushed for security guarantees to prevent Russia from using the pause to regroup and launch a fresh offensive.
The US will oversee compliance and continue providing intelligence support to Ukraine. Ukraine and the US also agreed to finalize a critical minerals deal, which had been stalled since Zelenskyy’s February 28 Oval Office meeting with Trump.
The agreement was seen as a smart move by Kyiv, shifting international focus onto Russia. Samuel Charap, a senior political scientist at RAND, explained: “They are putting the onus on Russia to either accept an arrangement that they otherwise would be completely opposed to or risk Trump’s ire.”
Between the lines
Trump’s relationship with Putin has been unpredictable. If Russia rejects the ceasefire, Trump may have to take a harder stance, something he has avoided so far.
If Putin accepts, Trump could claim a diplomatic victory—a major talking point for his reelection campaign.
However, the ceasefire also raises concerns for Ukraine’s long-term security. Putin’s past actions suggest he may exploit the truce to reinforce Russian positions while demanding unrealistic terms for a final peace agreement.
Russia’s longstanding conditions for peace talks include:
- Recognition of Russian control over occupied Ukrainian territories.
- A ban on Ukraine joining Nato.
- Demilitarization of Ukrainian forces.
- None of these demands are acceptable to Ukraine, setting the stage for a potential diplomatic standoff.
What’s next?
- Witkoff’s Moscow meeting: Trump’s envoy will meet with Putin later this week to gauge Russia’s response.
- Rubio’s G7 discussions: The secretary of state will travel to Canada to consult with US allies on how to proceed if Russia rejects the deal.
- Potential sanctions on Russia: If Moscow refuses the ceasefire, the US could impose harsher sanctions or increase support for Ukraine.
- Ukraine’s military strategy: If the ceasefire fails, Kyiv is expected to shift to defensive tactics while continuing targeted drone strikes on Russian infrastructure.
What to watch
How Russia responds: Putin may reject the deal outright or propose his own version of a ceasefire with terms that Ukraine and its allies won’t accept.
European reaction: Nato and EU leaders will be watching closely. If Russia refuses, they may increase military aid to Ukraine or push for stronger economic measures against Moscow.
Trump’s next move: The US president is walking a tightrope—balancing his desire to end the war with his long-standing reluctance to confront Putin.
(With inputs from agencies)