Ukraine Agrees to 30-Day Ceasefire Following US Delegation Talks in Saudi Arabia
During a meeting in Jeddah, Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, contingent on Russia’s acceptance. This marks a pivotal moment in peace negotiations, especially following tensions between Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump. The US will also resume intelligence sharing with Ukraine, while the mineral rights deal remains outstanding.
After a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Ukrainian delegations jointly announced that Ukraine is prepared to accept a 30-day ceasefire. This ceasefire can be extended based on mutual agreement and requires acceptance and concurrent action from the Russian Federation, according to the US State Department.
This initiative marks significant progress towards a permanent peace agreement, particularly after recent tensions where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House early during a meeting with President Trump on February 28. In light of the recent discussions, President Trump has indicated a willingness to invite President Zelenskyy back to the White House. In response, President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the productive dialogue that occurred in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, under the new agreement, the United States will resume the sharing of intelligence with Ukraine, a practice which was halted on March 5 following tensions between the two leaders.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “The ball is now in Russia’s court,” following the meeting. He conveyed that the proposal would be communicated to Russia and expressed hope for a timely acceptance. While Secretary Rubio noted that no specific deadline has been established for Russia’s response, he encouraged that it should happen “as soon as possible.” He emphasized, “Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking.”
It should be noted that the mineral rights deal between Ukraine and the United States, which was initially intended to be signed during President Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington DC in February, was not finalized in Saudi Arabia. Secretary Rubio clarified that this topic was not part of the discussions during the current meetings.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s willingness to accept a 30-day ceasefire, as announced by the US and Ukrainian delegations, represents a significant step towards a potential peace agreement with Russia. The resumption of US intelligence sharing with Ukraine further strengthens this initiative. However, key topics, such as the mineral rights deal, remain unresolved, indicating that discussions are ongoing. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statements underline the necessity for Russia to respond positively to the ceasefire proposal.
Original Source: www.hungarianconservative.com
