NEW DELHI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that Ukraine has accepted a 30-day ceasefire proposal from the United States following critical peace talks in Saudi Arabia. The agreement, which covers the entire frontline of the conflict with Russia, marks a significant diplomatic effort to de-escalate tensions in the war-torn region.

“Ukraine accepts this proposal, we consider it positive, we are ready to take such a step and the United States of America must convince Russia to do so,” Zelensky stated after the more than eight-hour-long meeting in Jeddah. The ceasefire is set to begin the moment Moscow agrees to it.

The United States and Ukraine released a joint statement confirming the agreement, with Washington pledging to “immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine”. A Ukrainian official later confirmed that US security aid had already resumed, CNN reported.

Following the talks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that the next move lies with Moscow. “We hope that they’ll say yes, that they’ll say yes to peace. The ball is now in their court,” he said.

President Donald Trump welcomed the development, stating that he would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the proposal in the coming days.

The ceasefire discussions come at a crucial moment in the war, as Russian forces continue their offensive in the Kursk region, where Ukraine staged a surprising counteroffensive in August. The potential truce could provide Kyiv with much-needed relief amid growing military pressure and diplomatic tensions with Washington.