Talk of ceasefire and aid spurs hope in Ukraine, anger in Russia
The resumption of U.S. military and intelligence aid for Ukraine follows a contentious White House meeting between the American and Ukrainian leaders, but Moscow is unlikely to agree to the proposed ceasefire.
Russian pro-Kremlin analysts, politicians and nationalist military bloggers said Russia would likely reject the ceasefire as a trap that would harm Russian interests and benefit Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — whom the Trump administration previously accused of being unready for peace after a bruising White House visit — said in a post on X that Ukraine was “willing to accept” the U.S.-proposed agreement, which went further than Kyiv’s initial suggestion of only a partial ceasefire. The agreement would temporarily freeze more than 1,800 miles of front lines in their current position — where Russian forces appear to hold the upper hand.
“We see it as a positive step and are ready to take it,” Zelensky added. “Now, it is up to the United States to convince Russia to do the same. If Russia agrees, the ceasefire will take effect immediately.”
President Vladimir Putin has consistently stated that a temporary ceasefire would be unacceptable to Moscow. On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said only that Russia would not be “getting ahead of ourselves” and would scrutinize the statements made and review the joint statement.
The bilateral talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, between Washington and Kyiv, marked an improvement in the relationship between Ukraine and its most important backer, which had chilled in the aftermath of the disastrous Oval Office visit. In a joint statement, the United States and Kyiv vowed to “immediately begin negotiations toward an enduring peace that provides for Ukraine’s long-term security.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the talks in Jeddah, posted on X that it was “a good day for peace.” He added: “We are one step closer to restoring durable peace for Ukraine. The ball is now in Russia’s court.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), a close Trump ally, said he was “encouraged” and put the onus on Russia to agree. If the Kremlin refused, he said on X, “we should sanction the hell out of them.”
Putin ruled out a truce or temporary ceasefire last July, while insisting that “Russia stands for a complete and final end to the conflict,” which according to his conditions for peace would involve Ukrainian demilitarization, neutrality and surrendering large chunks of territory. He maintained that a “truce or temporary ceasefire, or some kind of pause” would be used by Kyiv “to recover losses, regroup and rearm.”
Even before Tuesday’s ceasefire was announced, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke against “a ceasefire that will allow the U.S. to arm Ukraine once again and again direct it at our country.”
In Kyiv, the atmosphere on Tuesday was jubilant, despite air sirens echoing in the night — likely in retaliation for Ukraine’s massive drone attack on Moscow earlier in the week. In the city’s historic Maidan Square, a few people walked past a makeshift memorial to fallen soldiers, some stopping to pay their respects. Sisters-in-law Karina and Oksana Harei wrote messages on small Ukrainian flags to add to the thousands already speared in the damp spring soil.
“We are writing the names of our defenders,” said Karina. “Our friends, just people we know who defended us.” The war had been terrible with too many people dying — even children — and she hoped it would end soon.
