The US is expected to enter into discussions with Russia later this week as the push for peace continues
Ukraine and the US have finally made progress with their most recent round of talks, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his hopes to end the three-year conflict between his country and Russia.
Last month, tensions flared after a tense Oval Office meeting where Donald Trump put a halt to the U.S.’s military aid to Ukraine, deepening the strain in the ongoing conflict. But just this week, U.S. and Ukrainian officials gathered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for eight hours of high-stakes talks that resulted in a breakthrough: a joint statement confirming a major shift in U.S. policy. The U.S. agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine—an agreement that promises to have a significant impact on the war effort.
Here’s a closer look at what we know about this landmark deal, with U.S. officials set to meet with Russian delegates later this week to take the next steps.
Military Aid and Intelligence Sharing Resumed
In a statement, U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz confirmed that President Trump had agreed to immediately lift the pause on military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. This move will unlock billions of dollars in U.S. military assistance, crucial for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Waltz emphasized that the Ukrainian delegation expressed a shared commitment to Trump’s vision for peace.
According to the Council of Foreign Relations, much of the U.S. aid has focused on providing weapons systems, training, and intelligence to strengthen Ukrainian defenses, especially in countering Russian aggression.
Ceasefire Agreement
In a significant development, Ukraine also expressed its readiness to enter into a 30-day ceasefire agreement. However, this will only happen if Russia reciprocates. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the U.S. would present the ceasefire proposal to the Kremlin, adding: “Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. Now it’s up to them to decide.” Rubio stressed that if Russia refuses, the world will know exactly who stands in the way of peace.
Security Guarantees
The discussions also touched on the critical issue of security guarantees for Ukraine, ensuring that the country’s defense is supported as the conflict continues to unfold.
As these negotiations move forward, all eyes will be on Russia to see if they’ll accept this opportunity for peace—or continue the fight.
Mike Waltz further elaborated that during the latest meeting, negotiators delved into the substantive details of how the war could be brought to a permanent end, including discussions about long-term security guarantees. These talks, he noted, were pivotal in mapping out a path toward lasting peace in Ukraine.
Andriy Yermak, a Ukrainian presidential aide, also stressed the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace, explaining that the security guarantees were essential to prevent any future Russian invasions. “The most crucial thing is ensuring that Ukraine’s sovereignty is protected, now and in the future,” he told reporters.
While the exact details of these security agreements have not been made public yet, their inclusion highlights the growing need for a strong, sustainable framework to ensure Ukraine’s security moving forward.
Talks with Russia
As the next phase of negotiations unfolds, U.S. officials are expected to present the offer directly to Russian delegates in the coming days. This will be a critical moment in determining whether peace is achievable or if the war will continue to escalate.
Following the successful conclusion of peace talks yesterday, the United States has made an impassioned plea for Russia to accept the proposed ceasefire.
“Hopefully, we’ll take this offer to the Russians now, and we hope they’ll say yes, they’ll say yes to peace,” said Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, during a news conference.
“The ball is now in their court. But, again, the president’s number one objective, above everything else, is to end the war. I think today Ukraine has taken a concrete step toward that goal, and we hope the Russians will reciprocate.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Vladimir Putin indicated that the Kremlin is “carefully studying” the statements made by both Ukraine and the United States after the Jeddah talks. However, they added that the US has yet to reach out formally to present the 30-day ceasefire proposal to them.
Drone Strikes Escalate
It seems that President Putin has responded to the talks by ordering a new drone strike on Ukraine. Last night, drone attacks hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions, with reports suggesting the attacks continued through the night, according to Mail Online.
These strikes come after Ukraine launched its largest-ever drone attack across 10 Russian regions, just before the peace talks in Saudi Arabia. BBC News reported that the attack left three men dead and 18 others injured.
Zelenskyy’s Position on Peace
In an address shortly after the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to peace. “Our position is absolutely clear: Ukraine has strived for peace from the very first second of this war, and we want to do everything possible to achieve it as soon as possible — securely and in a way that ensures war does not return,” he said.
Despite the continued violence, Ukraine’s stance remains resolute, with the hope that the international community, including Russia, will ultimately take the necessary steps toward lasting peace.
