Russia has said it needs to be briefed by the United States about the outcomes of the U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia before commenting on the proposed truce plan and whether it was accepted by Moscow.
Addressing reporters at a daily press briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not rule out the possibility of a phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, as reported by BBC.
Asked about the 30-day Russia-Ukraine truce proposal, Peskov was quoted as saying by the British media, “let’s not get ahead of ourselves”.
Ceasefire Proposal
Meanwhile, Ukraine has agreed to accept the US-proposed immediate 30-day ceasefire in Russia’s ongoing invasion of the country.
The Ukraine-USA joint statement said: “Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the U.S. proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation.”
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X: “During today’s talks, the U.S. side proposed taking an even bigger first step—a 30-day full interim ceasefire, not only stopping missile, drone, and bomb attacks, not only in the Black Sea, but also along the entire front line.”
“Ukraine is ready to accept this proposal—we see it as a positive step and are ready to take it,” he said.
US Intelligence Sharing
Following the talks in Saudi Arabia, the US will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.
“The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace. The United States will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine,” the statement said.
The US had suspended military and intelligence service to Ukraine following a fiery interaction between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump during their meeting in Washington DC.
The statement further said: “The delegations also discussed the importance of humanitarian relief efforts as part of the peace process, particularly during the above-mentioned ceasefire, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.”
Olaf Scholz Praises Ukraine
Praising Ukraine over the proposal acceptance, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, “The idea of a 30-day ceasefire is an important and correct step towards a just peace for Ukraine. We stand with Ukraine and the US and welcome the proposals from Jeddah. Now it is up to Putin.”
(With inputs from IBNS)
