In a dramatic shift in diplomacy, the United States has proposed a 30-day ceasefire to Russia, with Ukraine accepting the offer. After a high-stakes round of talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the offer would be presented to Russia, saying, “The ball is in their court.” But with Moscow yet to respond, all eyes are on whether this offer can bring an end to the devastating war that has been raging since 2022.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly supported the ceasefire, but with one clear message: Russia must show its willingness to stop the war. “It is time for the full truth,” Zelensky declared, urging the US to convince Moscow to seize this opportunity for peace.
A Tense Moment in US-Ukraine Relations
This offer comes after a tense period in US-Ukraine relations, notably following an intense clash between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in February. But now, with the situation becoming increasingly dire, there’s a renewed sense of urgency. The Jeddah talks, the first official meeting since the Oval Office confrontation, marked a crucial step towards potential peace.
The United States has also agreed to restart intelligence sharing and security assistance to Ukraine, which had been suspended after the fallout from the White House row. Rubio emphasized the importance of dialogue, stating, “We’ll take this offer now to the Russians, and we hope they’ll say yes to peace.”
The Stakes Are High for All Parties
The ceasefire proposal is a bold move, but it’s far from a guaranteed solution. Moscow’s response remains uncertain, with influential figures like Kostantin Kosachev, a top Russian lawmaker, asserting that any agreement would have to be “on our terms.” Russia’s ongoing military advances in Ukraine suggest they may not be keen on accepting terms they perceive as unfavourable.
Still, the US has made its position clear: If Russia rejects this ceasefire, they will be responsible for the continuation of the war. Rubio, during a press conference, stated, “If Russia rejects the offer, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace.”
A Global Push for Peace
While Russia hasn’t responded publicly yet, the US remains hopeful. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to travel to Russia in the coming days, potentially adding further momentum to the peace talks. Trump himself said he would speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin to push for a deal, adding, “It takes two to tango.”
But even as diplomatic efforts continue, the war rages on. On the same day as the Jeddah talks, a massive drone attack on Moscow left three people dead, with 18 others wounded. In Ukraine, Russian drones targeted multiple cities, including Kyiv, with Ukrainian air defences claiming they shot down 79 of 126 drones launched by Russia.
The Path Ahead
With both sides digging in their heels, the future of the ceasefire proposal remains uncertain. Trump’s administration has been vocal about its desire for an end to the war, but he continues to face pressure from Zelensky to provide security guarantees for Ukraine’s long-term safety. Zelensky has repeatedly called for Europe to play a more prominent role in the peace process, a sentiment echoed by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who welcomed the US-Ukraine breakthrough.
But for now, the 30-day ceasefire offer is on the table, and the world is waiting to see if Russia will accept or reject the proposal.
