Ukraine accepted the deal proposed by the Trump administration during a meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. This is an important step towards securing a ceasefire agreement and ending the war with Russia.
“We're now accepting this offer to the Russians. We hope they say yes,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters.
Rubio, standing alongside national security adviser Mike Waltz, did not elaborate exactly what happened with the agreement, but according to reads provided by Ukraine's Voldy Zelensky's office, Kiev agreed to a 30-day ceasefire force on accepting Moscow's terms.
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From left, we will be holding an encounter in Arabia between US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal bin Fahan, Saudi National Security Advisor Mosad bin Mohammad al-Ivan, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andri Sibikha, and Ukrainian Secretary of the Presidency Andri Yelia. (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP)
“I hope the Russians answer that,” Rubio said. “The best good-willed gesture that the Russians can offer is to say yes.”
In response to Kiev's willingness to accept a preliminary proposal for Washington's fierce battle, President Donald Trump has agreed to make the suspension of US security assistance to Ukraine “quickly effective” and updated the US intelligence news sharing.
Rubio said that if Moscow agrees to the preliminary agreement, actual negotiations can be launched.
“This is very serious. People will die in this war today. They died yesterday, and sadly, unless there is a ceasefire tonight, they will die tomorrow,” Rubio said. “The president hopes it will stop.”
Rubio says at the Ukraine conference mineral trade “not the main topic on the agenda”
“If this war ends in how this war ends, we've set out,” Waltz told reporters.
The issues that involve the return of children and prisoners of war, which have been accused of in Russia, will be addressed in a “second phase” of negotiations, the pair said.
The Waltz confirmed that the Trump administration and the Ukrainian delegation discussed “substantial details” about security assurances to ensure lasting peace between the two countries, but neither Kiev nor Washington have yet to confirm the elements of those discussions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (R) will speak with the media following a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on March 11, 2025. In a Saudi Arabia speech, Ukraine presents the US plans to benefit from the US and seek the US bounty. Concessions to end the three-year war. (Photo: Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP) (Photo by Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo by Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Both delegations have agreed to name their negotiation teams and immediately begin negotiations for lasting peace that will provide long-term security for Ukraine,” the consultation reads stated. “The United States has committed to discussing these specific proposals with representatives of Russia.
“The Ukrainian delegation has repeatedly made its European partners involved in the peace process,” the readout added.
Rubio said the mineral trade will be discussed further on dates.
“We were pursuing peace,” he told reporters. “That doesn't mean that mineral trade isn't that important.”
