Ukraine Agrees To U.S. Ceasefire Plan

Kyiv has accepted a U.S proposal for a 30-day interim ceasefire with Russia after “milestone” talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following the disastrous meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky at the White House in February.

The signed agreement outlines an immediate 30-day truce, a resumption of critical U.S. intelligence-sharing and security assistance - already restarted - and plans to work towards a comprehensive agreement on U.S. development of Ukraine’s rare earth mineral resources.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that “the ball is now in Russia’s court” as any ceasefire would be subject to Russia's acceptance. While President Vladimir Putin has said he is open to discussing a peace deal that includes Russia’s “long-term security,” Moscow opposes a ceasefire and has called on Ukraine to cede control of the four regions partially occupied by Russia. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is due to meet Putin in Moscow in the coming days.