Ukraine Accepts U.S. 30-Day Ceasefire Proposal in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; U.S. to Resume Aid and Intelligence Sharing

Ukraine has agreed to accept a U.S. proposal for an immediate, 30-day ceasefire with Russia, according to a joint statement issued after talks between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The ceasefire can be extended by mutual agreement and is contingent on Russia's acceptance and simultaneous implementation. In response to Ukraine's readiness to accept the ceasefire, the United States has committed to immediately lifting the pause on intelligence sharing and resuming security assistance to Ukraine. This move reverses a previous suspension of aid and intelligence sharing that had been in place following a contentious meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The U.S. delegation was led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, while the Ukrainian side included Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The talks were also attended by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad Al-Aiban. The joint statement also highlighted the importance of humanitarian relief efforts during the ceasefire period, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of detained civilians, and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly displaced to Russia. Both countries agreed to appoint negotiating teams to work towards a lasting peace and to finalize a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources.