Following talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine has expressed a willingness to accept a 30-day ceasefire, with conditions for Russian agreement. This development follows previous tensions and coincides with the US resuming intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Secretary of State Rubio emphasized the need for Russia’s acceptance of the proposal, while the mineral rights deal remains pending further discussions.
In a significant diplomatic development, the Ukrainian delegation, in conjunction with the American delegation, announced an immediate willingness to accept a 30-day ceasefire following discussions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. According to a joint statement released by the US State Department, this ceasefire can be extended by mutual consent and requires the concurrence of the Russian Federation.
This initiative marks a notable shift towards securing a lasting peace in Ukraine, particularly following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s early departure from talks with President Trump at the White House in late February. President Trump has indicated a desire to welcome President Zelenskyy back for further discussions, to which President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the constructive exchanges held in Saudi Arabia.
As part of the new agreement, the United States will restart intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a practice that had ceased earlier in March due to tensions stemming from the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, addressing media post-meeting, conveyed that the responsibility now lies with Russia to respond positively to this ceasefire offer. He confirmed that his team was tasked with presenting this proposal to Russian officials, with no specified deadline for their response but an expressed hope for an immediate acceptance.
Secretary Rubio accentuated Ukraine’s readiness to transition from military engagements to diplomatic dialogues, stating, “Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking.” Despite these advancements, the anticipated mineral rights agreement between Ukraine and the US, which had prompted President Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington in February, was not finalized during these talks in Saudi Arabia, as it was not deemed part of the agenda for the discussions.
The recent discussions between Ukraine and the US signify a pivotal moment towards achieving a ceasefire and potentially establishing lasting peace. The readiness of Ukraine to engage in negotiations, alongside the reinstatement of US intelligence sharing, highlights renewed diplomatic efforts. However, the unresolved mineral rights agreement remains a pertinent issue that requires further attention. The situation awaits Russia’s response to the ceasefire proposal, which could have substantial implications for the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.hungarianconservative.com
