Rubio says Ukraine has agreed to deal in securing peace deal

Ukraine made a significant move on Tuesday by accepting a deal proposed by the Trump administration during a meeting in Saudi Arabia. This acceptance marks a crucial step towards securing a ceasefire agreement and ultimately bringing an end to the ongoing war with Russia.

“We’ll take this offer now to the Russians, and we hope that they’ll say yes,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed reporters after the meeting. The details of the agreement were not fully disclosed by Rubio, but according to a statement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, Kyiv has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, contingent on Moscow’s acceptance of the terms.

In response to Ukraine’s acceptance of the preliminary proposal, President Donald Trump has agreed to lift the pause on U.S. security assistance to Ukraine with immediate effect. Additionally, U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine has been reinstated.

Once Moscow agrees to the preliminary agreement, real negotiations can begin, according to Rubio. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that lives are at stake every day until a ceasefire is achieved.

During the meeting, discussions also revolved around the return of children abducted by Russia and the repatriation of prisoners of war, which will be addressed in the second phase of negotiations. The Trump administration and the Ukrainian delegation delved into substantive details regarding security guarantees to ensure lasting peace between the two nations.

The readout of the talks indicated that both delegations agreed to name their negotiating teams and commence negotiations towards a lasting peace that prioritizes Ukraine’s long-term security. The United States committed to discussing the specific proposals with representatives from Russia, while also ensuring that European partners are involved in the peace process.

Rubio hinted at the possibility of a mineral deal being discussed at a later date but emphasized that the primary objective of the meeting was to pursue peace. He highlighted the importance of reaching a peaceful resolution to the conflict while acknowledging the significance of other potential agreements.

In conclusion, the acceptance of the deal by Ukraine represents a critical development in the efforts to end the war with Russia. The negotiations between the Trump administration and the Ukrainian delegation set the stage for further discussions aimed at securing a lasting peace agreement and ensuring the long-term security of Ukraine.