Ukraine Open to 30-Day Ceasefire as US Resumes Military Aid

Wednesday 12 March 2025 - 08:50

By: Zahouani Ilham

Ukraine Open to 30-Day Ceasefire as US Resumes Military Aid

The United States has agreed to restart military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following Kyiv’s willingness to accept a 30-day ceasefire in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

In a joint statement issued after a meeting in Saudi Arabia, both nations acknowledged Ukraine’s openness to a US-backed proposal for an immediate ceasefire, which could be extended upon mutual agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that this ceasefire would apply not only to missile, drone, and bomb attacks but also across the entire front line and the Black Sea region.

US President Donald Trump expressed hope that Russia would accept the ceasefire plan, noting that discussions between the US and Russia were scheduled for later that day or the following one. As a result of the diplomatic progress, Washington announced it would immediately lift the suspension on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Kyiv. The aid had been halted last week, impacting Ukraine’s ability to track Russian troop movements, defend against missile strikes, and conduct counterattacks.

The suspension followed a dispute between Trump and Zelenskyy during a recent visit to Washington, where they discussed a strategic rare earth minerals deal that would grant the US access to Ukraine’s valuable resources. The latest joint statement indicated that negotiations on this agreement were back on track, with both countries aiming to finalize a comprehensive partnership to boost Ukraine’s economy and enhance its long-term security.

However, the statement did not mention explicit security guarantees for Ukraine—something Zelenskyy had sought but that Trump has been reluctant to provide. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the decision now rested with Russia, declaring, "Ukraine is ready to stop fighting and start negotiations; now it's up to Russia to respond." National Security Advisor Mike Waltz added that Ukraine had aligned itself with Trump’s vision for a lasting peace and that negotiations had addressed the conflict’s long-term resolution.

Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for peace and called on the US to persuade Russia to engage in negotiations. While Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to discuss a peace deal, he remains firm on retaining the occupied territories and demands Ukraine's withdrawal from four contested regions.

The Saudi-hosted talks occurred just hours after Ukraine launched its most extensive drone attack on Russian soil, targeting an oil refinery near Moscow and a facility in the Oryol region. The strike, which downed 337 drones, resulted in casualties and temporary disruptions at Moscow’s airports.