Ukrainian officials have indicated a willingness to enter a preliminary 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as conveyed in discussions with U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. According to a joint statement from the U.S. Department of State and Ukrainian officials, Ukraine is open to the U.S. proposal for an immediate ceasefire, which could be extended by both parties if agreed upon and implemented simultaneously by Russia.
The U.S. plans to communicate to Russia the importance of reciprocal actions in working towards peace. Concurrently, the U.S. has announced it will resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, following these diplomatic talks.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire as a “concrete step” and expressed optimism that Russia might respond similarly. Russia has not yet provided an affirmative response regarding the ceasefire.
Analysts suggest that Russia may seek significant concessions before considering such an agreement, as Russian forces have recently achieved advances in the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. Russian progress has also been noted in Zaporizhzhia and the Donbas areas in recent days, with expectations of a larger offensive potentially unfolding in the spring.
Ukraine has reportedly targeted an oil refinery near Moscow and a facility linked to the Druzhba pipeline in Russia’s Oryol region. The nation’s military also engaged in a significant drone assault on Moscow, Ukraine’s largest attack on the city, which has resulted in multiple casualties and airport closures.
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