JEDDAH, March 12 (Alliance News): The United States and Ukraine have reached a 30-day ceasefire agreement following high-level talks in Jeddah, but its implementation now hinges on Russia’s response.
The deal, announced in a joint statement, also includes the restoration of US military aid and a commitment to concluding a mineral resources agreement with Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington would present the ceasefire proposal to Moscow, urging Russia to accept it as a step toward peace.
However, Kremlin officials have remained noncommittal, with spokesman Dmitri Peskov stating that “there are no negotiations yet, so there is nothing to disrupt.”
The ceasefire discussions followed Ukraine’s largest-ever drone attack on Moscow, which killed three people and targeted strategic locations.
Ukrainian officials said the attack was intended to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into considering a truce. Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and claimed to have retaken 12 settlements in its Kursk region.
In a significant shift, the US-Ukraine agreement marks a thaw in relations after tensions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.
The meeting also addressed Ukraine’s refusal to grant the US control over its mineral resources during earlier negotiations.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the US has warned of further sanctions against Russia if it refuses to engage in peace talks. NATO allies remain cautious, with Washington also urging the Group of Seven to avoid “antagonistic” rhetoric toward Moscow.
