In a significant development, Ukrainian and American officials convened in Jeddah shortly after Russia reported a "massive" drone attack allegedly launched by Ukraine. This meeting comes at a crucial time, as Russia maintains its occupation of approximately 99% of the Luhansk region, 70% of Donetsk, and about 75% of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. The United States has announced plans to immediately resume intelligence sharing and security assistance to Ukraine, signaling a potential shift in the ongoing conflict.
The talks also focused on a ceasefire proposal, which Ukraine has accepted. The proposal spans the entire front line of the conflict, covering both air and sea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined several conditions, including "silence" in the sky and at sea, the release of Ukrainian prisoners, and the return of children from Russia to build confidence. President Zelensky emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, "Ukraine accepts this proposal, we consider it positive, we are ready to take such a step, and the United States of America must convince Russia to do so."
The European Union and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a "positive development" and a "remarkable breakthrough," respectively. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the ceasefire's prospects and anticipated discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week. Trump remarked, "Hopefully President Putin will agree to that also and we can get this show on the road."
Russia's response remains uncertain, with Moscow's defense ministry claiming it had downed 337 drones aimed at Russian territory, including 91 targeting the Moscow region. Local officials reported three fatalities and at least six injuries from these drone attacks. Despite these tensions, a Russian foreign ministry spokesperson indicated potential contact with US representatives in the coming days.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the importance of Russia's response to the ceasefire proposal. He stated, "We hope that they'll say yes, that they'll say yes to peace. The ball is now in their court." Similarly, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna underscored that "the responsibility rests solely on Russia" for achieving peace.
The meeting in Jeddah also addressed economic concerns, with both sides agreeing to finalize a rare minerals deal quickly. This agreement aims to bolster Ukraine's economy and ensure its long-term security.
Despite occupying nearly 20% of Ukraine's territory—an increase from approximately 7% before the full-scale invasion in February 2022—Russian forces face increasing international pressure to engage in peace talks. Approximately six million Ukrainians currently live under Russian occupation, highlighting the urgency for a resolution.
President Zelensky remains hopeful for strong US action should Moscow reject the ceasefire proposal. He affirmed, "Everything depends on Russia. The US took steps, Ukraine made (its) position clear. Now Russia needs to respond."
