US Lifts Suspension of Military Aid to Ukraine, Kyiv Open to 30-Day Ceasefire

The Trump administration has lifted its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine, and Kyiv has signaled that it is open to a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia, pending Moscow’s agreement, American and Ukrainian officials said Tuesday following talks in Saudi Arabia.

The administration imposed the measures a week ago to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to enter talks to end the war with invading Russian forces. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would present the ceasefire offer to the Kremlin.

“We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no,” Rubio said. “If they say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.”

Background of the Conflict

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia began in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, a peninsula in eastern Ukraine. Since then, Russian-backed separatists have been fighting against the Ukrainian government in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people.

The US and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine, and have provided military aid to Ukraine to help it defend itself. However, the conflict has continued, with both sides suffering heavy losses.

The Mood Across the Room

Earlier in the day, journalists were briefly allowed in a room where a senior Ukrainian delegation met with Rubio, who smiled at the cameras and when asked about his expectations for the meeting, gave a thumbs-up and replied, “Good.”

Across the table, Ukrainian officials, including the country’s top diplomat and defense chief, showed no facial expressions as the meeting got underway at a luxury hotel. However, Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak told reporters that the most important thing was “how to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.” He said security guarantees were important to prevent Russia from invading again in the future.

US-Ukraine Relations

The meeting in Jeddah offered an opportunity for Kyiv officials to repair Ukraine’s relationship with the Trump administration after an unprecedented argument erupted during Zelenskyy’s Feb. 28 visit to the White House.

National security adviser Mike Waltz said negotiators “got into substantive details on how this war is going to permanently end,” including long-term security guarantees. The announcements emerged as senior officials from Ukraine and the United States opened talks in Saudi Arabia focused on ending Moscow’s three-year war against Kyiv.

Russia’s Position

The Kremlin has not publicly offered any concessions. Russia has said it’s ready to cease hostilities on condition that Ukraine drops its bid to join NATO and recognizes regions that Moscow occupies as Russian. Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory.

Russian forces have held the battlefield momentum for more than a year, though at a high cost in infantry and armor, and are pushing at selected points along the 600-mile front line, especially in the eastern Donetsk region, against Ukraine’s understrength and weary army.

Recent Developments

The discussions started only hours after Russia shot down over 300 Ukrainian drones. It was Ukraine’s biggest attack since the Kremlin ordered the full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel later this week to Moscow, where he could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a person familiar with the matter but not authorized to comment publicly. The person cautioned that scheduling could change.

Impact on Civilians

On the streets of Kyiv, Ukrainians kept an eye on the Saudi talks. Lena Herasymenko, a psychologist, said she accepts that compromises will be necessary to end the war, but she said they must be “reasonable.”

“We had massive losses during this war, and we don’t know yet how much more we’ll have,” she told The Associated Press. “We are suffering every day. Our kids are suffering, and we don’t know how the future generation will be affected.”

Conclusion

The US and Ukraine have made a significant step towards ending the conflict, but the road to peace is still long and uncertain. The Kremlin’s conditions for peace, including Ukraine’s recognition of occupied regions as Russian, are unlikely to be accepted by Ukraine. The international community will be watching the developments closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the current situation in Ukraine?

A: The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is ongoing, with both sides suffering heavy losses. The US and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia and provided military aid to Ukraine.

Q: What are the Kremlin’s conditions for peace?

A: The Kremlin has said it’s ready to cease hostilities on condition that Ukraine drops its bid to join NATO and recognizes regions that Moscow occupies as Russian.

Q: What is the US role in the conflict?

A: The US has provided military aid to Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russia. The US has also been involved in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, including the recent talks in Saudi Arabia.