U.S. and Ukraine Agree to 30-Day Truce in Jeddah Talks, Await Russia’s Response
In breaking news today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a deal with Ukraine for an immediate ceasefire in its ongoing conflict with Russia, following high-stakes negotiations hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The announcement, made earlier today in Jeddah, marks a potential turning point in the three-year war, aligning with President Donald Trump’s repeated pledge to end the conflict swiftly.
Ukrainians Have Accepted, Now Will Russia?
“Today, we’ve made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations to this conflict in a way that’s enduring and sustainable,” Rubio declared during a press conference. “We hope the Russians will reciprocate.” He expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its “instrumental” role in facilitating the talks, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing influence as a neutral mediator in global conflicts.
The proposed ceasefire, described as an interim 30-day truce extendable by mutual agreement, comes after a day of intense discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in Jeddah. Ukrainian officials, led by presidential advisor Andriy Yermak, signaled their readiness to accept the U.S. proposal, with sources indicating that Kyiv views this as a critical step to halt the bloodshed and stabilize the region. The ball is now in Russia’s court, Rubio emphasized, noting that Moscow’s response will determine the next phase of this fragile peace process.
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President Trump, who has made ending the war a cornerstone of his administration’s foreign policy, reportedly endorsed the deal, reiterating his desire for a rapid resolution. “The President has been clear he wants the war to end,” Rubio said, reflecting Trump’s push to shift U.S. policy from prolonged military support to diplomatic resolution. Posts on X from earlier today echoed this sentiment, with users citing Rubio’s statement as evidence of progress in the Jeddah talks.
From If to How
U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz added, “We’ve gone from if the war is going to end, to now how this war is going to end. This was an important first step. This is under President Trump’s leadership. He has literally moved the entire global conversation.”
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the negotiations underscores its strategic role, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meeting separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to bolster the peace efforts. While Zelensky did not attend the U.S.-Ukraine talks directly, his administration’s delegation—including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov—worked closely with Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and other U.S. officials to hammer out the agreement.
Follows Tention & Apology
The deal follows months of tension between Washington and Kyiv, notably after a contentious Oval Office meeting last month between Trump and Zelensky that led to a pause in U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing and subsequent apology by Zelensky. Today’s announcement suggests a thaw in relations, with the U.S. pledging to restore support if the ceasefire holds and negotiations progress.
However, skepticism remains. Russia has historically rejected temporary truces, labeling them as ploys to bolster Ukraine’s faltering military position. As of this morning, the Kremlin has yet to respond officially, leaving the ceasefire’s fate uncertain. On the ground, fighting continues, with reports of Russian advances in the Kursk region and Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow adding urgency to the diplomatic push.
If successful, this ceasefire could pave the way for broader peace talks, potentially involving European allies and addressing thorny issues like territorial concessions and Ukraine’s mineral resources—a point of interest for Trump. For now, the world watches Jeddah, where a fragile hope for peace hangs in the balance.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow as events unfold.
