Ukraine was represented at the talks in Jeddah by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa. The US delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
The interlocutors also discussed the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilians held by Russia, and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly displaced by Russia.
The two sides agreed to determine the composition of their negotiating teams and immediately begin discussions “to achieve a sustainable peace that will ensure Ukraine’s long-term security.” The United States pledged to discuss these specific proposals with Russian representatives, while the Ukrainian delegation reiterated that European partners should be involved in the peace process.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that, in talks with the United States, Ukraine had proposed introducing a ceasefire in the sky (missiles, bombs, long-range drones) and at sea, stressing the importance of releasing prisoners. At the same time, Ukraine accepted the US proposal for a complete ceasefire along the entire frontline and considers it a positive step, he said. Now the US must convince Russia to do the same.
“Russia must show its readiness to end the war or continue the war. It’s time for the full truth. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine,” Zelenskyy concluded.
He also shared plans for the 30-day ceasefire: “When the agreements come into force, during these 30 days of silence, we will have time to prepare all aspects to ensure the reliability of peace and long-term security with our partners at the level of working documents.”
According to Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, the main achievements of the talks with the US in Saudi Arabia are the immediate resumption of military assistance and intelligence sharing.
“What you have seen - the result of this joint statement - is an understanding that we are moving together and equally recognise the path towards a just peace, expected by all Ukrainians, with the help of our main strategic partner, the United States. The joint statement also notes that our European partners will take part in this process,” Yermak said during a press conference following the meeting in Jeddah.
According to him, the goal of the Ukrainian delegation at the meeting was to show their partners that no one wants the war to end more than Ukraine does. However, it is crucial how it will end and what security guarantees Ukraine will receive.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes that Kyiv and Washington have taken positive steps in the current negotiations, and the ball is now in Russia’s court.
According to US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, the Ukrainian delegation has made it very clear that it shares “President Trump’s vision of peace.” Waltz said he would speak with the Russians “in the coming days” and that Rubio would participate in a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in the next few days.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked whether there was a deadline for the Russians to respond to the proposal for a 30-day temporary ceasefire. He did not provide a specific timeframe but expressed hope that they would respond as soon as possible.
“Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking, and now it’s up to them [the Russians] to decide whether to say yes or no. I hope they say yes. If they do, I think we’ve made a lot of progress. If they say no, then we will unfortunately find out what is preventing peace,” Rubio said.
Hopefully, the US president will also recognise who is not truly ready for peace and who holds contempt for America and the rest of the civilised world.
According to Marco Rubio, once the Russians respond, it will be possible to “move on to the second phase of this, which is real negotiations.”
The proposal for a ceasefire agreement, along with the resumption of intelligence sharing and security assistance from the United States, has already been welcomed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“This is a positive development that could be a step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine. The ball is now in Russia’s court,” the EC President wrote in a post on social media. Ursula von der Leyen emphasised that “the EU is ready to play its role together with its partners in the upcoming peace talks.”
So far, there have been no official statements from Russia. Meanwhile, Russian military has continued their daily drone attacks on Ukraine, including a massive strike on Dnipro. Fires are burning in the city, there is destruction, and there are likely people trapped under the rubble.
We will soon find out whether this is part of Russia’s response to the US and Ukrainian proposals for thirty days of silence.
