U.S. Restarts Military Aid to Ukraine as Kyiv Agrees to Ceasefire Proposal – Reuters Reports
The United States has decided to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after important discussions, where Kyiv agreed to a U.S. plan for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. Reuters reports that this deal was announced in a joint statement on Tuesday.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, as quoted by Reuters, that the next step is for Russia to accept the ceasefire. He emphasized that the U.S. wants Russia to agree quickly so that real peace talks can begin. The ceasefire proposal was discussed for over eight hours in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with hopes that it could lead to a more permanent peace deal.
According to Reuters, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago and now controls about a fifth of Ukraine’s land, including Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has mentioned he is open to peace discussions, Reuters reports that Moscow has consistently opposed a ceasefire, instead demanding that Ukraine withdraw from certain regions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was also in Saudi Arabia but did not attend the talks, called the ceasefire a “positive proposal,” Reuters reports. He clarified that the ceasefire would cover the entire frontline of the war, not just air and sea battles. Kyiv hopes that during the 30-day period of “silence,” both sides can work on a long-term peace agreement.
As Reuters explains, the U.S. will deliver the ceasefire proposal to Russia through various diplomatic channels. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is set to meet his Russian counterpart soon, and Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will travel to Moscow to discuss the deal with Putin.
On Tuesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump said he hopes for a quick ceasefire and might speak with Putin this week, Reuters reports. He mentioned this during a White House event while promoting Elon Musk’s Tesla company.
This agreement marks a major shift in U.S.-Ukraine relations. Reuters reminds readers that just weeks ago, Trump had halted intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine after a tense meeting with Zelenskiy on February 28. However, Tuesday’s agreement shows a change in Trump’s approach, as he now supports military assistance to Ukraine while also seeking negotiations with Russia.
In the joint statement, Reuters notes that both countries also agreed to speed up a deal to help Ukraine develop its critical mineral resources. This deal had been delayed after Trump’s earlier meeting with Zelenskiy.
Ukraine has been under increasing military pressure, especially near Russia’s Kursk region, where Russian forces have been attacking Ukrainian troops, Reuters reports. However, Ukraine recently launched a massive drone strike on Moscow and nearby areas, showing it can still retaliate despite Russian advances. According to Reuters, this was Ukraine’s largest drone attack on Moscow so far, bringing down 337 drones and causing airport shutdowns.
As the situation unfolds, Reuters emphasizes that European countries are also getting involved in the peace process. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to visit the White House soon, and Poland’s Prime Minister has expressed readiness to help Ukraine secure a fair and lasting peace.
For more details on this developing story, visit Reuters to read the full report.