Ukraine agrees to 30-day truce as US moves to ease military aid limits
In a major breakthrough, the US agreed to resume military intelligence sharing with Ukraine as Kyiv considered a 30-day ceasefire with Russia.
US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz led the American delegation, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and head of presidential office Andriy Yermak represented Ukraine. Saudi officials, including Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, also attended.
Rubio stated that the US would present Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal to Russia. He emphasized that Ukraine was ready to stop fighting and negotiate. Waltz added that Ukrainian officials shared President Donald Trump’s vision for peace and discussed long-term security guarantees.
Hours before the talks, Russia shot down over 300 Ukrainian drones in Kyiv’s largest attack since the war began. Despite being in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not attend the meeting. He later called the ceasefire proposal a “positive step” that covered all conflict zones.
Both sides agreed to finalize a critical minerals deal with Ukraine. The agreement had stalled after a tense meeting between Trump and Zelensky in Washington. Zelensky reaffirmed his commitment to completing the deal and working toward long-term security agreements with the US.
The joint statement issued after the meeting stressed the urgency of securing lasting peace. Ukraine expressed readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire, pending Russia’s approval, with an option for extension by mutual agreement.
The US pledged to lift restrictions on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine. Both sides also discussed humanitarian efforts, including prisoner exchanges, the release of detainees, and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken by Russia.
Both delegations agreed to name negotiating teams and begin talks on a lasting peace. Rubio reiterated that President Trump wanted the war to end immediately. He urged Russia to accept the proposal swiftly to move toward real negotiations.
