Photo credit: www.bbc.com
US Officials Engage in Ceasefire Discussions with Russia Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
U.S. officials are set to visit Russia to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine, as indicated by President Donald Trump. This development follows Ukrainian representatives’ agreement to a 30-day ceasefire after a significant meeting with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the initiative now lies with Russia, stating that the U.S. firmly believes peace negotiations are essential to halt the ongoing conflict. The Kremlin has acknowledged the ceasefire proposal, indicating that it is under consideration and that a potential phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could occur.
During a press conference alongside Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the Oval Office, Trump mentioned receiving “positive messages” regarding the ceasefire’s potential but advised that such messages must be taken seriously due to the gravity of the situation. Specific details about which officials are traveling to Moscow were not disclosed.
However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz had reached out to his Russian counterpart. Reports suggest that Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy to the Middle East, will also be part of the upcoming negotiations in Moscow following discussions in Jeddah.
Leavitt reiterated the urgency of the situation, appealing for Russia to endorse the proposed ceasefire, as she indicated this could be the closest the region has come to peace during the conflict. The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, noted that further details on the ceasefire plan will be communicated through various channels in the coming days.
In the Oval Office, Trump articulated that a ceasefire might be beneficial for Russia, suggesting there are significant consequences for them if the conflict continues. He mentioned previous discussions concerning territorial matters, affirming that there is clarity about the regions involved in these negotiations.
Trump also indicated that he could take financial actions to pressure Russia, though he expressed a desire to avoid such measures to achieve peace. The discussions in Jeddah marked the first time U.S. and Ukrainian officials met following a tumultuous encounter on February 28, which had resulted in a halt in U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing. This aid was subsequently restored after the recent Jeddah meeting, with Trump expressing belief that both Ukrainian officials and President Volodymyr Zelensky now favor a peaceful resolution.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, violence has persisted across Ukraine. Reports indicate that Russian drones and missiles targeted areas such as Kryvyy Rih, the hometown of Zelensky, and struck other regions including Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv. Clashes have continued in Russia’s Kursk region, where Peskov reported successful advances by Russian troops reclaiming positions previously held by Ukrainian forces.
On Wednesday, the Kremlin announced that President Putin visited a command post in the Kursk region, accompanied by military chief Valery Gerasimov, both dressed in military attire. This visit marks Putin’s first since Ukraine’s offensive across the border in August of the previous year and coincides with reports of his directive for the military to “fully liberate” the region.
In a statement via Telegram, Oleksandr Syrsky, the head of Ukraine’s military, indicated that some Ukrainian troops are withdrawing from Kursk, prioritizing the safeguarding of soldiers’ lives amid the challenging situation.
Source
www.bbc.com