US Says Ukraine 'Ready to Move Forward' on Ceasefire Demand
Washington Signals Ukraine's Readiness for Peace Talks
The Trump administration believes Ukraine's leadership is prepared to advance discussions on a ceasefire with Russia, according to a senior U.S. State Department official.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are set to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for talks with Ukrainian officials. Their discussions come amid increasing U.S. pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire deal—though Washington has yet to offer any concrete security guarantees in return.
Just ten days ago, tensions flared between Trump and Zelensky at the White House, with the U.S. president accusing his Ukrainian counterpart of being unwilling to negotiate an end to the war.
Background and Ongoing Conflict
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. The war has persisted despite international calls for resolution.
"The fact that they're coming here at senior levels is a good indication to us that they want to sit down and they're ready to move forward," the State Department official stated, speaking anonymously about the discussions set to take place in Jeddah.
While Zelensky will also be in Saudi Arabia for a separate meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he is not expected to formally participate in the U.S.-Ukraine negotiations. Instead, Ukraine will be represented by his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, along with the country's national security adviser and foreign and defense ministers.
Ukraine's Position on Peace Talks
Zelensky reiterated on social media Monday that Ukraine has pursued peace since the war began, insisting that Russia’s actions are the sole reason for the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov questioned Ukraine's commitment to peace, echoing past U.S. criticisms that Zelensky has been resistant to negotiations.
The Ukrainian leader has faced mounting pressure from Washington to make concessions, though he continues to demand firm security assurances from the U.S., citing Russia’s history of violating past ceasefire agreements.
U.S. Threats and Strategic Interests
On Friday, Trump threatened further sanctions against Russia, emphasizing that Moscow is "absolutely pounding" Ukraine on the battlefield. The U.S. has already imposed extensive economic restrictions on Russia over the war.
Following the White House dispute, Zelensky sought to mend ties with Washington, as the U.S. remains Ukraine’s largest military supplier. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, later revealed that Zelensky had sent Trump a letter expressing "apology" and "gratitude."
In Saudi Arabia, the U.S. delegation aims to establish a "framework" for ending the war. Additionally, discussions may revive a stalled minerals deal, which was derailed due to diplomatic tensions. Ukraine has offered the U.S. access to its rare earth mineral reserves in exchange for security guarantees.
Ukraine’s Diplomatic and Military Strategy
Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko underscored the importance of securing U.S. support "at any cost" while ensuring Ukraine's red lines are respected. He warned that any agreement falling outside these terms would be rejected.
The U.S. recently paused military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, following the White House dispute. However, when asked about lifting the intelligence freeze, Trump indicated that the administration was "just about" doing so, without providing specifics.
Military Developments
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military reported shooting down 130 Russian drones overnight. Russian drone strikes over the weekend killed at least 25 people in the eastern Donetsk town of Dobropillya.
In the Kursk region, Russian forces are attempting to encircle Ukrainian troops after reclaiming three settlements. Reports suggest Russian special forces infiltrated Ukrainian territory via a gas pipeline near Sudzha.
Separately, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced plans to procure 4.5 million domestically produced drones in 2025, allocating over £2 billion for the initiative.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the world watches closely to see whether the U.S. and Ukraine can agree on terms to bring an end to the war.
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