Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire and immediate negotiations with Russia after three years of war. The decision came during high-stakes talks in Jeddah on Tuesday. As a result, the U.S. lifted its freeze on military aid and expressed hope for an end to the conflict.

U.S. Pushes for Full Ceasefire

US President Donald Trump applied pressure on Kyiv while extending an olive branch to Moscow. Initially, Ukrainian officials, eager to mend ties, proposed a partial truce covering air and sea attacks. However, Trump's administration insisted on more. Consequently, Ukraine agreed to a full month-long ceasefire in a war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. "Today we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced after nine hours of discussions in Jeddah.

Russia Holds the Next Move

Rubio emphasized that the next step now depends on Russia. "We'll take this offer now to the Russians, and we hope they'll say yes to peace. The ball is now in their court. If they say no, then we'll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here," he stated. Meanwhile, the United States resumed military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. These had been suspended following Trump's February 28 meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump Plans Further Diplomatic Steps

In Washington, Trump expressed optimism about the ceasefire. He welcomed the possibility of hosting Zelensky at the White House again. Additionally, he hinted at a potential conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the week. When asked about the prospects of a comprehensive ceasefire, Trump responded, "Well, I hope it will be over the next few days. I'd like to see. I know we have a big meeting with Russia tomorrow, and some great conversations hopefully will ensue."

U.S.-Ukraine Economic Agreement

A joint statement from Ukraine and the U.S. revealed plans to finalize a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine's mineral wealth. Trump had demanded this as compensation for the billions of dollars in weapons the U.S. provided under former President Joe Biden. Zelensky had originally planned to sign the deal at the White House before a tense public exchange with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The American leaders accused Zelensky of lacking gratitude for U.S. support. Later, Zelensky welcomed the ceasefire proposal and urged the U.S. to persuade Russia. "The American side understands our arguments, perceives our proposals, and I want to thank President Trump for the constructive conversation between our teams," he said in his nightly address.

Ukraine Awaits Russia’s Response

Following the U.S. aid freeze, Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and reclaimed land in Russia’s Kursk region that Ukrainian forces had previously occupied. Earlier that day, Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Moscow. Consequently, hundreds of drones hit the capital and surrounding areas, killing three people. Zelensky’s aide, Andriy Yermak, reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to peace. "Russia needs to say, very clearly, they want peace or not. They want to end this war, which they started, or no," he stated.

European Allies React

Trump’s shift in policy unsettled European allies. As a result, France and Germany increasingly discussed building a European defense system, anticipating reduced U.S. security guarantees through NATO. Nevertheless, Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, defended the president’s approach. "We've gone from if the war is going to end to how the war is going to end," he said, praising Ukraine’s willingness to "end the killing, to end the tragic meat-grinder of people and national treasure."

Diplomatic Efforts Continue

Rubio will travel to Canada next to meet with G7 foreign ministers. He plans to urge the group to avoid "antagonistic" rhetoric against Russia to keep diplomatic channels open. Meanwhile, in Poland, a key supporter of Ukraine, Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed the ceasefire proposal as "an important step toward peace." Even if Russia agrees to the ceasefire, major challenges remain. Ukraine seeks long-term security guarantees. However, Trump ruled out NATO membership—a key shift from Biden’s stance. Waltz confirmed that negotiations in Jeddah covered "substantive details on how this war is going to permanently end," including potential security arrangements for Ukraine’s future.

The Path Forward

French President Emmanuel Macron, who previously suggested deploying European forces to Ukraine, insisted that Kyiv must receive "credible" security guarantees in any ceasefire agreement. The coming days will determine whether Russia agrees to the ceasefire and if peace talks move forward.