by WorldTribune Staff, March 11, 2025 Real World News

Ukraine has accepted a U.S. proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire if Russia also accepts the plan, officials announced on Tuesday.

After Ukrainian representatives met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, they “expressed readiness to accept the U.S. 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,” Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a joint statement with the U.S. State Department.

Rubio said immediately after the meeting that the onus is now on Russia to take steps to end the war. “We hope that they’ll say yes, that they’ll say yes to peace. The ball is now in their court.”

U.S. President Donald Trump later welcomed the news and vowed to speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin about the plan, potentially this week.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s proposals for the ceasefire had included “silence” in the sky and at sea, the release of Ukrainian prisoners “to establish confidence in this whole situation,” and the return of Ukrainian children from Russia.

Ukraine also agreed to conclude a rare minerals deal with the U.S. “as soon as possible” to expand Ukraine’s economy and guarantee the country’s long-term security.

The Ukrainian delegation, which did not include Zelensky, met with Rubio and Waltz, who had also attended direct talks with Russia last month.

The joint statement:

Today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – under the gracious hospitality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – the United States and Ukraine took important steps toward restoring durable peace for Ukraine.

Representatives of both nations praised the bravery of the Ukrainian people in defense of their nation and agreed that now is the time to begin a process toward lasting peace.

The Ukrainian delegation reiterated the Ukrainian people’s strong gratitude to President Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the people of the United States for making possible meaningful progress toward peace.

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 United States will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.
The delegations also discussed the importance of humanitarian relief efforts as part of the peace process, particularly during the abovementioned ceasefire, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.

Both delegations agreed to name their negotiating teams and immediately begin negotiations toward an enduring peace that provides for Ukraine’s long-term security. The United States committed to discussing these specific proposals with representatives from Russia. The Ukrainian delegation reiterated that European partners shall be involved in the peace process.

Lastly, both countries’ presidents agreed to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources to expand Ukraine’s economy, offset the cost of American assistance, and guarantee Ukraine’s long-term prosperity and security.

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  Ukraine agrees to 30-day U.S.-brokered ceasefire, WorldTribune.com