The United States has officially decided to lift its pause on intelligence sharing with Ukraine and resume security assistance, marking a significant shift in its approach to the ongoing war. This decision came after crucial, high-stakes talks between US and Ukrainian delegations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, according to a Reuters report. The move is expected to restore Kyiv's strategic capabilities, which had weakened following Washington’s decision to halt military aid and intelligence support earlier this year, citing frustrations with Ukraine’s approach to the conflict.
As part of the breakthrough, Ukraine has agreed to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire with Russia — a notable shift in Kyiv’s position, signaling a willingness to explore paths toward de-escalation. This development, however, hinges on Moscow’s response, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside national security advisor Mike Waltz — both representing President Donald Trump’s administration — confirming that they would present the proposal to Russian officials. Rubio made it clear that the next move now rests with the Kremlin. "The President wanted this war to end yesterday. So, our hope is that the Russians will answer 'yes' as quickly as possible, so we can get to the second phase of this, which is real negotiations," Rubio told reporters. His remarks reflect Trump’s growing urgency to bring the war to an end — a stance that has defined his administration’s evolving foreign policy on the Ukraine crisis.
On the Ukrainian side, Andriy Yermak, a top adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, led the delegation. Notably absent from the talks was Zelenskyy himself, who had met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a day prior but chose to stay out of the formal negotiations. His absence has been interpreted as a strategic move — ensuring his government has room to maneuver while maintaining high-level diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, which has emerged as an important mediator in the conflict. Riyadh has maintained relations with both Washington and Moscow, positioning itself as a rare bridge between the two geopolitical rivals.
The Jeddah meeting marked a turning point after weeks of deteriorating US-Ukraine relations, especially following a heated Oval Office confrontation between Zelenskyy and Trump last month. Under President Biden, US support for Ukraine had been unwavering, but Trump’s administration re-evaluated that stance, pausing assistance and pushing Kyiv to make concessions. Rubio hinted at this new approach before the talks, saying, "We have to understand the Ukrainian position and just have a general idea of what concessions they'd be willing to make, because you're not going to get a ceasefire and an end to this war unless both sides make concessions." This reflects Washington’s growing belief that a military victory for Ukraine may no longer be realistic, and a negotiated settlement is the only viable path forward.
The Jeddah talks follow a rare meeting between US and Russian officials in Riyadh last month — one of the few high-level engagements between the two nations since diplomatic relations nearly froze during Biden’s tenure. The meeting aimed to reopen communication channels, with Saudi Arabia playing a pivotal role in brokering dialogue. This latest push represents a coordinated effort to bring Russia back to the negotiating table while ensuring Ukraine is on board with potential compromises.
The timing of this renewed diplomatic push is particularly critical. It comes just days after Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow to date, deploying 91 drones. The attack killed one person and caused widespread disruption, forcing the shutdown of multiple airports and diverting dozens of flights. Moscow claimed it intercepted 337 drones across its territory. The large-scale strike appeared designed to remind Russia — and the international community — that Ukraine remains capable of inflicting significant damage, even as Western support faltered. It was also widely seen as a show of resilience following weeks of relentless Russian missile strikes, including one on March 8 that killed at least 14 people in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, expressed cautious optimism about the talks. He stated his hope for "practical outcomes" and reiterated Kyiv’s "fully constructive" approach. The Ukrainian President had previously floated the idea of a temporary truce, particularly in the air and at sea, to create conditions for broader peace discussions. The 30-day ceasefire proposal now on the table aligns with this strategy, potentially serving as a trial period for a longer-term de-escalation.
The ceasefire agreement, if accepted by Moscow, could pave the way for more comprehensive negotiations involving security guarantees, territorial settlements, and economic aid to rebuild Ukraine’s devastated infrastructure. However, many analysts remain skeptical about Russia’s willingness to accept a temporary ceasefire without concrete gains — particularly after recent battlefield advances in eastern Ukraine.
Beyond the battlefield, the diplomatic dynamics are equally complex. Trump’s administration, eager to showcase its deal-making prowess ahead of the November election, is under pressure to deliver a foreign policy win. Securing a ceasefire, even a temporary one, could allow Trump to claim success in resolving a conflict that Biden’s administration struggled to end. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy faces mounting pressure domestically and from European allies to secure a path toward peace while preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty.
This diplomatic push — a blend of ceasefire talks, renewed US intelligence support, and Riyadh’s mediation — could reshape the trajectory of the war. But everything now hinges on Moscow’s response. If Russia agrees, it may open the door to a broader peace process. If it refuses, the conflict could escalate further, with US aid now back in play to strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield. The next few days will likely determine whether this breakthrough holds or collapses under the weight of competing interests.
