U.S. resumes military aid as Ukraine backs plan for 30-day ceasefire
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Ukraine "expressed readiness to accept" a U.S. proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire with Russia, the two countries said in a joint statement after a key meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters: A ceasefire, if implemented, would be a major diplomatic breakthrough in the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine. But the Kremlin has yet to weigh in on the U.S. proposal.
- "The ball is now in their court. We hope the Russians will reciprocate," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a press conference after the meeting.
The latest: A source close to the Ukrainian government told Axios U.S. military assistance resumed on Tuesday. Intelligence sharing with the U.S. was fully restored.
Driving the news: During the meeting — which lasted more than five hours — the U.S. agreed to lift its suspension on intelligence sharing with Ukraine and resume weapons shipments to the country, which were paused eight days ago.
- After weeks of pressuring the Ukrainians, the U.S. side signaled the pressure is now on Russia. "If the Russians say no, we will know what the impediment is here," Rubio said.
- President Trump told reporters at the White House that he hopes Russia will agree to the ceasefire, and said he would invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky back to the White House.
- National security adviser Mike Waltz said Ukraine not only accepted the U.S. proposal but also presented its principles for a comprehensive peace deal including the security guarantees that it requires.
Key points: Waltz also said Trump made it clear to his team — and through them to the Ukrainians — that all fighting needs to stop, not just air and missile strikes. Zelensky confirmed in a statement after the meeting that the ceasefire would be comprehensive, including the front lines.
- The U.S.-Ukraine statement says the ceasefire is subject to agreement from Russia and could be extended beyond 30 days "by mutual agreement" between Kyiv and Moscow.
- Per the joint statement, the U.S. committed to raising proposals discussed with Ukraine with the Russians, while the Ukrainian side "reiterated that European partners shall be involved in the peace process."
- "Before you negotiate, you need to stop shooting at each other. That's what the president wanted to see," Rubio said.
Zoom in: The U.S. delegation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was led by Rubio and Waltz, while the Ukrainian delegation was led by Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak. Ukraine's foreign and defense ministers also participated.
What to watch: According to the joint statement, the U.S. and Ukraine also agreed to conclude as soon as possible "a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources."
- An initial agreement was already negotiated, but President Trump canceled the signing ceremony last month after his Oval Office argument with Zelensky.
- Rubio said both presidents would instruct their teams to bring the deal to conclusion.
What's next: The State Department said both delegations agreed to name their negotiating teams and start talks immediately on a peace agreement with Russia.
- Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow on Thursday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss the 30-day ceasefire proposal.
- Waltz said he will speak to his Russian counterpart in the next few days while Rubio will meet his G7 counterparts soon and discuss the path forward.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include details of the U.S. resuming military aid to Ukraine, along with intelligence sharing. It has been corrected to reflect that Trump froze arms and intelligence sharing with Ukraine eight (not 10) days ago.
