Ukraine agrees to US-proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia as Washington resumes military intelligence sharing, though Moscow signals immediate rejection of the peace overture.
Key Insights
- Ukraine has accepted a US proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire that would freeze battle lines and halt all hostilities, contingent on Russian acceptance
- The US will resume sharing intelligence and military aid with Ukraine following successful talks in Saudi Arabia between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Zelenskyy
- Russian officials have signaled the agreement is “completely unacceptable,” with one State Duma Deputy claiming the US plans to “rearm Ukraine in 30 days and start the war anew”
- The ceasefire proposal includes humanitarian initiatives such as prisoner exchanges and returning Ukrainian children relocated during the conflict
- A potential economic agreement involving Ukraine’s rare earth minerals is nearing completion as part of broader US-Ukraine cooperation
Breakthrough in US-Ukraine Relations
In a significant diplomatic development, Ukraine has accepted a US proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire with Russia following high-level talks in Saudi Arabia. The agreement, which emerged from meetings between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marks a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict. The United States has agreed to resume critical intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine that had previously been paused during tensions between the two allies.
President Zelenskyy expressed support for the American initiative while emphasizing that Russian cooperation remains essential. “Ukraine welcomes this proposal. We see it as a positive step, and we are ready to take it. The United States must now persuade Russia to do the same. If Russia agrees, silence will take effect immediately,” stated Zelenskyy during a joint press appearance with Secretary Rubio.
I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace.
None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 4, 2025
Russia’s Initial Rejection
Despite optimism from Washington and Kyiv, Russian officials have signaled immediate rejection of the proposal. Russian State Duma Deputy Viktor Sobolev dismissed the ceasefire plan in unequivocal terms, suggesting ulterior motives behind the American initiative. “The US will rearm Ukraine in 30 days of cease-fire and start the war anew – Russia will not go for it. I think that this is completely unacceptable. Some kind of temporary cease-fire. A temporary truce … is unacceptable,” said Sobolev.
“It takes two to tango,” President Trump remarked when asked about Russia’s initial rejection, emphasizing the need for both sides to engage constructively. The White House remains hopeful that diplomatic channels can overcome initial resistance, with plans reportedly underway for a potential summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, though no specific date has been confirmed.
Details of the Ceasefire Plan
The proposed ceasefire would halt all hostilities across the entire front line, including missile strikes, drone attacks, and bombing campaigns. Battle lines would freeze in their current positions while negotiations for a permanent peace settlement begin immediately. Secretary Rubio clarified the straightforward nature of the proposal: “Yes, that’s the offer. The offer is to stop the shooting.”
“Today, we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations to end this conflict in a way that’s enduring and sustainable and accounts for their interests, their security, their ability to prosper as a nation,” said Rubio during the joint press conference in Jeddah.
Humanitarian Initiatives and Economic Cooperation
Beyond the military aspects of the ceasefire, the US-Ukraine dialogue produced agreements on humanitarian initiatives including prisoner exchanges, the release of civilian detainees, and efforts to return Ukrainian children relocated during the conflict. These humanitarian measures would proceed regardless of the military ceasefire’s status, though their implementation would be significantly easier under peaceful conditions.
The talks also yielded progress on economic cooperation between the United States and Ukraine. A proposed agreement involving Ukraine’s substantial reserves of critical and rare-earth minerals is reportedly nearing completion. This deal aligns with President Trump’s stated goal of developing Ukraine’s natural resources to ensure the country’s long-term economic prosperity and reduce dependence on international aid.
“We’ve gone from if the war is going to end — to now how the war is going to end,” remarked National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who accompanied Secretary Rubio to the talks in Saudi Arabia. This statement reflects the administration’s determination to find a diplomatic resolution to the conflict despite significant obstacles.
Path Forward
With Ukraine’s acceptance secured, attention now turns to Moscow and potential diplomatic efforts to overcome initial Russian resistance. The United States has indicated it will communicate directly with Russian authorities to stress that their cooperation is essential for achieving peace. Should Russia continue to reject the ceasefire proposal, the Biden administration is reportedly considering additional pressure tactics, including potential sanctions on Russia’s banking and energy sectors.
“If the U.S. withheld intelligence and aid to Ukraine then (there) needs to be maximum pressure on Russia if Putin balks or fails to adhere to the ceasefire,” said Alex Plitsas, highlighting the strategic leverage Washington maintains in the situation. President Trump has expressed optimism about the potential for a breakthrough, stating, “Now we have to go to Russia and hopefully President Putin will agree to that, and we can get this show on the road.”
