Ukraine is poised to propose a partial ceasefire with Russia to the United States, aiming to rekindle the support of its crucial ally. Under the administration of former President Donald Trump, the U.S. has insisted on specific concessions to help bring an end to the ongoing three-year conflict.
The upcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia come against the backdrop of intensified Russian assaults on Ukraine. In retaliation, Ukraine has launched a significant counterstrike, including a recent drone attack on Russian territory, as confirmed by the mayor of Moscow.
This meeting marks the highest-level engagement since a contentious visit to the White House last month, during which President Trump expressed sharp criticism towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of ingratitude. As a consequence of this exchange, the U.S. has suspended both military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, attempting to pressure the nation into negotiations.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accompanied by Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz, expressed hope of resolving the aid suspension during today’s discussions. “I hope we can resolve this issue,” Rubio remarked. He added, “We’re still committed to providing intelligence for defensive operations.”
During his previous visit to the White House, Mr. Zelensky left without signing a contentious agreement that would allow the U.S. access to a significant portion of Ukraine’s mineral resources as compensation for past military support. Although Zelensky remains open to signing such an agreement, Rubio indicated it would not be a primary focus of the current talks.
Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and has regained control over several villages in the Kursk region, which Ukraine had previously captured. On the eve of the Saudi talks, Ukraine executed what Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, described as a “massive” drone assault on the Russian capital, where 69 drones were intercepted. Tragically, the attack resulted in at least one death and several injuries, according to Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region.
Amidst mounting pressure, Ukraine is now prepared to outline its support for a limited ceasefire. “We do have a proposal for a ceasefire in the sky and at sea,” a Ukrainian official shared anonymously. “These are options that are not only straightforward to implement but also easy to monitor, making them an ideal starting point.”
Rubio indicated that the Trump administration would likely view such a ceasefire proposal favorably, stating, “You won’t achieve a ceasefire and an end to this conflict unless both sides make sacrifices.” He continued, “The Russians cannot occupy all of Ukraine, and conversely, it will be exceptionally challenging for Ukraine to push Russian forces back to their 2014 borders in a reasonable timeframe.”
In a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman preceding the U.S.-Ukraine talks, President Zelensky articulated Ukraine’s prerequisites for a lasting peace agreement. These conditions include the release of prisoners and the repatriation of children whom Ukraine alleges have been abducted by Russia, as outlined in a statement from the Ukrainian leader’s office.
Rubio mentioned that he does not anticipate engaging in detailed negotiations or “drawing lines on a map” during the upcoming discussions in Jeddah. However, he expressed his commitment to relay the key insights from these talks back to Russia. Following their interactions last month in Saudi Arabia, Rubio and Waltz met with their Russian counterparts, effectively ending a freeze in high-level dialogues initiated by former President Joe Biden in response to Russia’s aggression.
Last week, Trump threatened additional sanctions against Russia as it continued its offensive against Ukraine. The abrupt shift in U.S. policy under his administration has left many allies bewildered.
“Hopefully, we’ll have a productive meeting and report positive outcomes,” Rubio added, underscoring the importance of dialogue in forging a path toward resolution.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
