Ukraine accepts ceasefire as U.S. moves to restore military aid
Department of Research, Studies and International News 12-03-2025
In a significant development, Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in its ongoing war with Russia, while the United States has announced plans to lift restrictions on military aid and intelligence sharing. This decision follows high-level negotiations in Saudi Arabia, marking a crucial moment in efforts to de-escalate the conflict. However, mere hours after this announcement, Russia launched an airstrike on Kyiv, raising doubts about the prospects of peace.
The ceasefire agreement emerged after intense discussions between senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah. The negotiations took place in the wake of a recent heated exchange between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which had resulted in a temporary halt to U.S. military support for Ukraine. Trump’s decision to reinstate aid now hinges on whether Russia reciprocates the ceasefire proposal.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump expressed hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin would agree to the ceasefire, which would mark the first formal pause in hostilities since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. “That’s a total ceasefire,” Trump stated. “Ukraine has agreed to it, and hopefully, Russia will agree as well.”
Uncertainty Over Russia’s Response
While Ukraine has committed to the truce, Russia’s stance remains unclear. Trump revealed that he expects to speak with Putin soon, with Russian media speculating that the conversation could happen by the end of the week. U.S. officials, including Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, are set to travel to Moscow to present the ceasefire proposal directly to the Kremlin.
Trump stressed the importance of Russia’s participation, warning that if Moscow refuses, the war will continue, leading to further casualties. “If we can get Russia to do it, that’ll be great. If we can’t, then we just keep going on, and people are gonna get killed, lots of people,” he remarked.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts
World leaders have reacted to the ceasefire agreement with cautious optimism. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the next move lies with Russia, saying, “If they say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment to peace is.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the deal, urging global leaders to push for a lasting peace settlement. “This is an important moment for Ukraine. Now, we must redouble our efforts to secure a stable and just peace,” he said. He also announced plans to convene an international meeting to discuss the next steps.
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these sentiments, acknowledging progress in negotiations but emphasizing that Ukraine must receive strong security guarantees as part of any truce. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the agreement as a crucial step toward ending the war.
In the joint U.S.-Ukraine statement, Ukraine reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire, stating that it is ready to implement a temporary 30-day truce that could be extended if mutually agreed upon by all parties. However, the agreement’s success is contingent on Russia’s willingness to comply.
Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Strategy and U.S. Military Aid
Following the Jeddah talks, Zelenskyy thanked Trump and reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to peace. “Ukraine is ready to accept this proposal, we see it as a positive step. Now, it is up to the United States to convince Russia to do the same,” he stated. If Russia agrees, the ceasefire will take immediate effect.
Trump’s administration now faces the challenge of persuading Putin to accept the terms. A joint statement emphasized that “Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace.”
The U.S. decision to lift restrictions on military aid and intelligence sharing was seen as a necessary measure to ensure Ukraine’s security. The previous aid suspension had significantly impacted Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, putting pressure on Kyiv to agree to a ceasefire proposal.
“The Ukrainian delegation today made something very clear: they share President Trump’s vision for peace,” U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated after the negotiations. With the resumption of aid, Ukraine will regain access to critical military supplies, including radars, ammunition, and intelligence-sharing capabilities.
Economic Interests and Controversial Mineral Deals
Beyond military aid, the agreement also revived discussions about a controversial minerals deal. Under this plan, the U.S. would secure a 50% stake in the revenues generated from Ukraine’s mineral resources. Trump has promoted the deal as a way to enhance Ukraine’s economic security by aligning U.S. financial interests with Ukraine’s stability.
According to the joint statement, Trump and Zelenskyy will work toward finalizing an agreement that focuses on developing Ukraine’s critical mineral sector, aiming to boost the country’s economy while providing long-term security assurances.
