Ukraine backs US proposal for 30-day cease-fire, military aid restrictions to be lifted

Ukraine on Tuesday backed a United States proposal for a 30-day general cease-fire with Russia, with the U.S. agreeing to lift restrictions on military aid and intelligence sharing, according to a joint statement.

After talks in Saudi Arabia, the two sides also agreed to finalize a deal on Ukrainian minerals “as soon as possible,” the statement said.

“Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the U.S. proposal for an immediate, interim 30-day cease-fire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties and is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation,” the joint statement noted.

“The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace,” it added.

“The United States will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.”

U.S President Donald Trump had suspended aid after a contentious meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28.

‘Ball now in court’ of Russia

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio says “ball now in court” of Russia to accept Ukraine truce, adding that Ukraine agrees to ‘immediate negotiations’ with Russia.

Additionalyy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said that the U.S. needed to “convince” Russia to accept a 30-day cease-fire proposal mooted by Washington at talks in Saudi Arabia.

“Ukraine welcomes this proposal, we consider it positive, we are ready to take such a step. The United States of America has to convince Russia to do this,” Zelensky said in his evening address. “The American side understands our arguments.”

Trump suggests he would invite Zelenskyy back to White House

Meanwhile, Trump said Tuesday that he hopes Russia will agree to a 30-day cease-fire after Ukraine expressed its support for the proposal following a high-profile summit with the U.S.

Trump praised Ukraine’s acceptance of the cease-fire as a “big difference” from Zelenskyy’s February 28 visit to the White House. He warned that if Russia does not sign the truce, “lots of people” will continue to die amid the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine.

“Now we have to go to Russia and hopefully President Putin will agree to that also. And we can get this show on the road,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

Asked if Zelenskyy was invited back to the White House after the fallout from their February Oval Office meeting, Trump replied, “Sure. Absolutely.”

The president said he expects to speak with Putin this week about the ceasefire proposal, noting, “It takes two to tango.”

Trump’s White House meeting with Zelenskyy in February had turned contentious, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance repeatedly berating the Ukrainian leader. Zelenskyy had questioned whether Putin could be trusted as a negotiating partner, citing past agreements Russia had broken before launching the full-scale war against Ukraine.

Trump has shown varying levels of concern for Ukraine’s priorities in ending the conflict and has ruled out Kyiv’s NATO membership, a key demand from Zelenskyy. Trump also falsely claimed Ukraine had started the war with Russia.

Following the tense meeting, Zelenskyy abruptly left the White House, leaving a critical minerals deal with the US unsigned, and canceled a planned joint news conference with Trump.