Support was unblocked after Kiev agreed to Washington’s idea for an “immediate” 30-day ceasefire with Russia
The US has unblocked military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, while the latter has agreed to a proposed “immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire” with Russia, the two nations announced on Tuesday after talks in Saudi Arabia. Kiev has also agreed to conclude a comprehensive agreement on Ukraine’s critical resources with Washington “as soon as possible.”
“Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation,” the joint statement reads. Washington has said it will communicate the proposal to Russia shortly.
The US will now “immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.” Washington and Kiev have also discussed “humanitarian relief efforts,” including potential prisoner of war swaps, “release of civilian detainees” and other actions.
During the meeting, the delegations discussed long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said without providing further detail. Kiev has agreed to work on a critical resources deal with the US and pledged to sign it “as soon as possible.”
Thus far, Moscow has not provided any official reaction to the statements made following the US-Ukraine talks in Jeddah. The Russian leadership has previously signaled that any temporary ceasefire deal was unacceptable and would only benefit Kiev and its Western backers.
“The goal should not be a short truce, not some kind of respite for regrouping forces and rearmament with the aim of subsequently continuing the conflict, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people, all nations living in this region,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in January.
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