Rubio emphasized that it was now Russia’s responsibility to take steps toward ending the war
Ukraine has announced that it is ready to accept a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia following a day of talks between the U.S. and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, reports a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco RUBIO said he would present the offer to Russia, stating that “the ball is in their court.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr ZELENSKY said it was now up to the U.S. to persuade Russia to agree to what he called a “positive” proposal.
Tuesday’s talks in Jeddah marked the first official meeting between the two countries since the highly publicized dispute between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald TRUMP in the Oval Office.
In a joint statement after the meeting, the United States and Ukraine confirmed that the U.S. would “immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.” A Ukrainian official later confirmed on Tuesday that U.S. security assistance had resumed.
Following the meeting, Rubio emphasized that it was now Russia’s responsibility to take steps toward ending the war.
“We hope that they’ll say yes, that they’ll say yes to peace. The ball is now in their court,” he said.
Later, Trump welcomed the development and promised to discuss the plan with Russian President Vladimir PUTIN, possibly within the week.
The U.S.-Ukraine joint statement also highlighted that Kyiv had “expressed readiness to accept the U.S. proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation.”
“The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace,” the statement added.
Zelensky outlined Ukraine’s proposals for the ceasefire, including a halt to air and naval attacks, the release of Ukrainian prisoners “to establish confidence in this whole situation.”
Additionally, both sides agreed to finalize a rare minerals deal “as soon as possible” to help boost Ukraine’s economy and ensure its long-term security.
Photo credit: t.me/ermaka2022.
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