JEDDAH, March 11 (Reuters) - The United States has decided to resume military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following discussions where Kyiv agreed to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, as announced by both countries.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. would present the proposal to Russia, emphasizing, "the ball is in Moscow's court."
Rubio expressed hope for a positive response from Russia swiftly to advance to the next phase of negotiations after lengthy talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Kremlin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, resulting in Russia holding approximately a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
Rubio stressed the urgency of reaching a comprehensive agreement with both Russia and Ukraine "as soon as possible" to halt the ongoing conflict, stating, "Every day this war continues, lives are lost, and both sides suffer."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated willingness to discuss a peace deal but has reiterated opposition to a ceasefire, aiming for an agreement that safeguards Russia's "long-term security." Putin has been firm about rejecting territorial concessions and insisting on Ukraine's complete withdrawal from disputed regions partly under Russian control.
While Russia's foreign ministry did not rule out communication with U.S. representatives, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the ceasefire proposal as a positive step that encompasses the conflict frontlines, not limited to air and sea skirmishes.
Zelenskiy emphasized that the ceasefire would be implemented once Russia agrees, providing an opportunity for preparations towards ensuring enduring peace and security.
Plans to deliver the proposal to Russia through various channels were disclosed, including meetings between top officials from the U.S. and Russia.
The recent agreement marks a significant shift from a contentious meeting on February 28 between the U.S. President and Zelenskiy, which led to a pause in military assistance and intelligence sharing, now reinstated.
Both U.S. and Ukrainian officials have re-engaged in discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine, a pivotal objective for Kyiv, with European nations showing readiness to explore options like deploying peacekeepers.
Amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, developments on the ground in Ukraine have intensified, especially in regions where clashes between forces have escalated.
As diplomatic maneuvers continue, both nations' military forces remain active, highlighting Ukraine's retaliatory strikes and capabilities in response to Russian aggression.