Trump hopes for Russian agreement on Ukraine ceasefire
3 Min Read
Trump voiced confidence that securing Russia's commitment would mark a major step toward ending the war.
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President Donald Trump delivers remarks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 7, 2025. (Pool via AP)
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Tuesday that Russia will agree to a 30-day ceasefire after Ukraine accepted the proposal during US-brokered talks in Saudi Arabia. He confirmed that US representatives will meet with their Russian counterparts over the next two days to push for an agreement.
"Ukrainians agreed to it, and hopefully, Russia will agree to it. We are going to meet with them later on today and tomorrow," Trump stated, stressing the significance of halting the ongoing conflict.
The ceasefire proposal was reached following discussions between US and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah earlier in the day. Trump voiced confidence that securing Russia's commitment would mark a major step toward ending the war.
"I'll talk to Vladimir Putin, yeah... Hopefully, he'll also agree [to the ceasefire], and I really think that would be 75% of the way [to peace]," Trump told reporters, confirming his plans to speak with the Russian leader within the week.
Ukraine's Position on Ceasefire Remains Unclear
While Trump framed the ceasefire as a done deal with Kiev, some Ukrainian officials offered conflicting statements. Earlier in the day, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky's office stated that Ukraine rejected a land-based ceasefire, fearing it would give Russia time to regroup.
Serhiy Leshchenko clarified that while Ukraine is open to a truce, it must not benefit Russian forces. "You want a ceasefire—we are ready. But not on land, where Putin can take a few months to heal the wounded, recruit infantry from North Korea, and restart this war," he said. Instead, Kiev has proposed a limited ceasefire covering air and sea operations and halting attacks on energy infrastructure.
Read more: Ukraine strikes Moscow in biggest drone attack on Russian capital
US Resumes Intelligence Sharing, Signs Mineral Deal with Ukraine
Alongside ceasefire discussions, the United States announced the immediate resumption of intelligence sharing and military assistance to Ukraine, which had been temporarily suspended due to tensions between Trump and Zelensky. The pause had reportedly complicated Ukrainian military operations, particularly in Russia's Kursk region.
Additionally, Washington and Kiev finalized an agreement to develop Ukraine's vital mineral resources. The deal aims to boost Ukraine's economy and reduce its dependence on US financial aid.
Russia Yet to Respond as Diplomatic Efforts Continue
The Kremlin has not yet publicly responded to the ceasefire proposal. However, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that talks with US officials could take place soon. "We do not rule out contacts with US representatives within the next few days," she told Russian media.
With Ukraine's position appearing more conditional than initially reported and Russia's response still uncertain, the next round of diplomatic negotiations will be crucial in determining whether the ceasefire holds or remains a stalled effort.
