US Offers 30-Day Ceasefire to Russia in Bid for Peace

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he would formally present the proposal to Russia, emphasizing that "the ball is in their court." As of now, Moscow has not issued a public response to the offer. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that it is now the responsibility of the United States to persuade Russia to accept what he described as a "positive" proposal for peace.

The talks in Jeddah, which took place on Tuesday, marked the first official discussions between the two countries following a tense and highly publicized altercation between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House on February 28. During the talks, the US reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine, announcing the resumption of intelligence sharing and security assistance—measures that had been suspended after the controversial public fallout between Trump and Zelensky.

The two delegations also agreed to form negotiating teams and initiate immediate discussions aimed at achieving a long-term peace settlement that would secure Ukraine’s future. Rubio expressed optimism, stating that Ukraine was "ready to stop shooting and start talking." He also noted that if Russia rejects the offer, the world will understand the true obstacle to peace.

Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who participated in the Jeddah talks, is expected to visit Russia soon, although the timeline for this visit remains uncertain.

Analysis: The Pressure Now Falls on Russia

The 30-day ceasefire offer goes further than President Zelensky’s earlier proposals for limited truces in specific regions, such as airspace and seas. Zelensky thanked Trump for his "constructive" approach to the discussions, urging Russia to "show its willingness to stop the war or continue the war." He added, "It is time for the full truth."

Moscow, however, has not yet publicly responded to the ceasefire proposal. In a statement on Tuesday, Russia indicated that it would issue a formal response once it had been fully briefed by the US on the outcomes of the talks. Konstantin Kosachev, an influential Russian lawmaker, made it clear that Russia's stance would be conditional on its own terms, stressing that "real agreements are still being written... at the front," as Russian forces continue to make advances in Ukraine.

Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has gained control of approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. Trump, however, remains hopeful that dialogue will lead to an agreement, stating that "it takes two to tango." He also expressed confidence that talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin could lead to a breakthrough, saying he was open to inviting Zelensky back to Washington if the ceasefire materializes.

In response to questions about the potential thaw in US-Ukrainian relations, Rubio emphasized that the focus should be on peace rather than personal relationships. "This is not Mean Girls, this is not some episode of a TV show," Rubio said. "Today people will die in this war, they died yesterday, and—sadly—unless there's a ceasefire, they will die tomorrow."

Ongoing Conflict Amid Diplomatic Efforts

Despite the diplomatic breakthroughs, the war continues to exact a heavy toll. On Tuesday, three people were killed in a massive drone attack on the Moscow region—one of the largest assaults on the Russian capital since the war began. Additionally, 18 people, including three children, were injured. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 337 drones over Russia, with 91 of them shot down in the Moscow region.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 79 of the 126 drones launched by Russia. Ukrainian forces also intercepted an Iskander-M ballistic missile. The extent of casualties in Ukraine is still being verified.

Minerals Deal and European Diplomacy

Alongside the ceasefire discussions, both sides are working toward finalizing a key minerals deal that would allow the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral reserves in exchange for security guarantees. However, the deal, which was disrupted by earlier White House tensions, was not the primary focus of Tuesday’s talks. Rubio confirmed that the negotiations were being handled by both US and Ukrainian treasuries.

The shift in America’s approach to the war has raised concerns in Europe, as the US has largely excluded the continent from direct talks. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the developments in Jeddah, noting that Europe's involvement in peace efforts would be critical moving forward.

Trump’s Peace Push

US President Trump has made ending the war in Ukraine a central goal of his foreign policy. While pushing Zelensky to accept a ceasefire, Trump has avoided granting the immediate security guarantees Ukraine insists upon. Trump also signaled the possibility of further sanctions on Russia if a peace deal does not materialize, following Russia's ongoing military advances in Ukraine.

The diplomatic efforts come amid a rapidly shifting global landscape, with emergency meetings among European leaders calling for greater involvement in peace talks. The outcome of these diplomatic moves remains uncertain, but the situation on the ground grows increasingly dire with each passing day.

In the meantime, as the war rages on, the hopes for peace rest on the willingness of both Russia and Ukraine to come to the negotiating table.