Ukraine is set to present a proposal for a limited ceasefire with Russia to U.S. officials on Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a bid to restore American support that was suspended following harsh demands from former President Donald Trump. The proposal, reportedly focused on achieving a “ceasefire in the sky and at sea”—measures that are deemed easy to implement and monitor—comes as Ukraine faces renewed Russian offensives, including a massive overnight drone attack on Moscow and other targets.
The meeting marks the highest-level dialogue since a contentious White House visit last month, during which Trump sharply criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky for what he described as ingratitude, and subsequently suspended military aid, intelligence sharing, and access to satellite imagery to pressure Kyiv into negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accompanied by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, indicated that resolving these issues is a priority, adding, “You’re not going to get a ceasefire and an end to this war unless both sides make concessions.”
Zelensky, who recently penned a repentant letter to Trump, has also signaled his willingness to negotiate, although he left Jeddah temporarily to meet with Saudi leaders. His office confirmed that discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman touched on Ukraine’s conditions for any permanent peace deal, including prisoner release and the return of children allegedly deported by Russian forces.
Rubio stressed that while the proposal might not settle all issues, it represents the kind of concessions needed to move towards an end to the conflict. He also noted that although the U.S. has not halted intelligence support for Ukraine’s defensive operations, the suspension of other aid has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials and international observers.
Meanwhile, Russia has ramped up its military activity, retaking some captured villages in the Kursk region and intensifying strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure, further complicating the path to peace.
The upcoming talks in Jeddah are seen as a critical juncture in the conflict, with both sides under pressure to make pragmatic concessions. U.S. officials, still adjusting to the policy shifts introduced under Trump’s tenure, have signaled that their approach in these talks will reflect a balance between deterrence and the pursuit of a negotiated settlement.
