Ukraine Proposes Partial Ceasefire Plan To The US In Saudi Talks

Ukraine to Present Partial Ceasefire Plan to the US Amid Diplomatic Strains

On Tuesday, Ukraine will formally present a proposal for a partial ceasefire with Russia to the United States, seeking to regain Washington’s critical support. This move comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has pushed for negotiations to end the ongoing three-year conflict.

The high-level meeting in Saudi Arabia follows intensified military action, with Russia escalating attacks and Ukraine retaliating with a major drone offensive targeting Moscow and other regions. Russian authorities confirmed that over 330 drones were involved in the strikes.

Diplomatic Talks in Saudi Arabia

Senior Ukrainian and US officials are scheduled to meet in Jeddah, marking the first significant diplomatic engagement since a tense White House meeting last month. During that encounter, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for what he perceived as a lack of gratitude toward US assistance.

In response, Washington suspended military aid, intelligence sharing, and access to satellite imagery, aiming to push Ukraine toward negotiations. Zelensky has since expressed willingness to cooperate, even writing a formal letter to Trump. However, he left the Saudi negotiations to his top aides.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accompanied by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, emphasized that restoring aid would be a key discussion point.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a productive meeting and positive developments,” Rubio stated, clarifying that intelligence sharing for defensive purposes had not been entirely cut off.

Ukraine’s Strategic Move

Despite recent tensions, Ukraine has signaled a willingness to negotiate. Zelensky previously declined to sign an agreement granting the US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources in exchange for past military support. However, he has indicated a potential openness to revisiting this deal.

Meanwhile, Russia has taken advantage of the diplomatic rift by intensifying its strikes and reclaiming strategic villages in the Kursk region. Ukraine responded with a large-scale drone attack on the eve of the Jeddah talks, with 337 drones intercepted across Russia, including 91 near Moscow. According to local authorities, at least one person was killed and three others injured.

Ceasefire Proposal to Be Discussed

Facing mounting pressure from the US, Ukraine is prepared to outline a proposal for a limited ceasefire.

“We are presenting options for a ceasefire in the air and at sea, as these are the most feasible to implement and monitor,” an unnamed Ukrainian official disclosed to AFP.

While Rubio acknowledged the proposal’s significance, he noted that additional concessions would be required for a comprehensive peace deal.

“Neither side can achieve a total victory. The Russians cannot take full control of Ukraine, and Ukraine cannot force Russian troops back to pre-2014 borders in a short timeframe,” he explained.

Saudi Mediation and Security Guarantees

Ahead of the US-Ukraine discussions, Zelensky met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to explore potential mediation efforts. Ukraine is pushing for conditions that include the return of prisoners and abducted children, a key sticking point in negotiations.

“The leaders discussed Saudi Arabia’s possible role in securing the release of prisoners and returning deported children,” stated a Ukrainian government report.

They also deliberated on long-term security assurances to prevent further conflict.

Future Prospects and Global Implications

While no final agreement is expected from the Jeddah talks, Rubio indicated that discussions would help shape the next steps. He also suggested that insights from these meetings would be relayed to Russia.

In a recent shift in US policy, Trump hinted at the possibility of additional sanctions against Russia to pressure Moscow into negotiations. However, this abrupt change has caused unease among US allies, with Rubio revealing that Washington opposed strong anti-Russia rhetoric at the upcoming G7 foreign ministers’ summit.

As global diplomatic efforts unfold, the future of the Ukraine-Russia conflict remains uncertain. The outcome of the Jeddah discussions will be a crucial step in determining whether a path toward de-escalation is feasible.