US and Ukraine Agree on 30-Day Ceasefire... Only Russia's Response Remains

Joint Statement Issued After High-Level Talks in Saudi Arabia
Agreement Reached to Expedite Mineral Deal
Trump Expresses Willingness to Invite Zelensky

The United States and Ukraine reached a sudden agreement on the 11th (local time) to implement a 30-day ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. The U.S. plans to persuade Russia to accept the ceasefire proposal through imminent talks between officials and phone calls between leaders during the week. If Russia responds with a 'yes' to this proposal, there is a high possibility that the war, which has lasted for more than three years, will temporarily come to a halt.

According to foreign media such as Reuters and The New York Times, the U.S. and Ukraine announced this agreement in a joint statement after a nine-hour high-level meeting held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the same day.

The joint statement included the content that "Ukraine is ready to accept the U.S. proposal to enter an immediate 30-day temporary ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and this must be accepted and simultaneously implemented by Russia."

U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio said after the meeting, "Now the ball is in Russia's court regarding peace in Ukraine," adding, "Ukraine has taken positive steps, so we hope Russia will respond accordingly." Secretary Rubio emphasized, "The proposal is to stop the shooting," and expressed hope that Russia would say "yes."

The U.S. intends to persuade Russia to accept the agreement with Ukraine. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said, "We plan to have talks with the Russian side within a few days." Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, is scheduled to visit Russia this week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio (left) and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz hold a press conference on the 11th (local time) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation. / Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Both sides also discussed long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Advisor Waltz stated, "We discussed substantive details on how to end the Russia-Ukraine war." He also mentioned, "We plan to have talks with the Russian side within a few days," and that Secretary Rubio will soon attend a meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7).

Regarding the mineral agreement, which had caused conflicts between the U.S. and Ukraine, both countries agreed to conclude it as soon as possible. The mineral agreement primarily guarantees the U.S. a stake in the profits from the development of Ukrainian minerals such as rare earth elements in exchange for U.S. military support. In return, the U.S. agreed to immediately resume military support and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, which had been temporarily suspended.

The New York Times (NYT) evaluated the talks held in the Saudi Arabian coastal city of Jeddah as having breathed new life into the ceasefire negotiations, which had stalled after a public clash between the Ukrainian and U.S. presidents at the White House.

After the U.S. and Ukraine suddenly agreed on a 30-day ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to communicate with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the week. Trump told reporters in Washington on the same day, "It takes two to tango," emphasizing that Russia's response is necessary for a temporary ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Trump also said he would invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky back to the White House, referring to the breakdown of their summit on the 28th of last month after a heated argument.

It is reported that President Zelensky recently sent a letter of apology to President Trump. After the meeting results were announced, President Zelensky stated in a press release that Ukraine "welcomes and views positively" the 30-day temporary ceasefire proposal presented by the U.S., emphasizing, "We are ready to take action." He also said, "The U.S. must persuade Russia to implement this," and "The U.S. understands our position."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.