Ukraine agrees to US-proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia

Ukraine has agreed to accept a US proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire and to take steps toward restoring a durable peace following Russia’s invasion, according to a joint statement by US and Ukrainian delegations meeting in Jeddah.

Kyiv and Washington “took important steps toward restoring durable peace for Ukraine” on Tuesday, the statement reads.

“Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation. The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace.”

The US will “immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine,” it says.

Both delegations agreed to immediately “begin negotiations toward an enduring peace that provides for Ukraine’s long-term security”, the statement notes.

The US committed to discussing these proposals with representatives from Russia, while the Ukrainian delegation reiterated that European partners shall be involved in the peace process.

The US State Department has announced Washington will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.

A statement by the State Department, carried by Reuters, comes after a lengthy meeting between senior US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia today.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a statement following the meeting between senior US and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah.

Zelenskyy says the Ukrainian delegation’s proposal consisted of three issues: “silence in the sky” and at sea, as well as “real measures to establish trust”, including the release of prisoners.

“The American side understands our arguments, accepts our proposals. I want to thank President Trump for the constructiveness of our teams’ conversation,” he says.

Zelenskyy says the US proposed to establish a complete ceasefire for 30 days in the Black Sea and along the entire front line.

“Ukraine accepts this proposal. We consider it positive, and we are ready to take such a step.”

He says the US “must convince” Russia to agree to the proposal, noting that an “important element” of the meeting today was “America’s readiness to resume defence assistance to Ukraine”.

“Ukraine is ready for peace. Russia must show its readiness to end the war or continue the war. It is time for the full truth,” Zelenskyy adds.