Ukraine’s Diplomatic Push for a Ceasefire Amid Strained Relations with the US

Ukraine is set to present a ceasefire proposal to the United States in a high-stakes meeting on Tuesday, hoping to regain the support of its most significant ally. The discussions, taking place in Saudi Arabia, come at a critical time as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine, while Kyiv retaliates, including an overnight drone strike on Moscow. The mayor of Moscow confirmed on Tuesday that dozens of drones were intercepted over the city.

The meeting marks the highest-level diplomatic engagement since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s turbulent visit to the White House last month, where he faced intense criticism from US President Donald Trump. Trump reportedly rebuked Zelensky for what he described as a lack of gratitude for US assistance. Following that exchange, Washington temporarily suspended military aid to Ukraine, halted intelligence-sharing agreements, and restricted Kyiv’s access to satellite imagery. These measures were aimed at pressuring Ukraine into negotiations to end the three-year-long war.

Zelensky’s Efforts to Mend Relations with Washington

Zelensky, in a bid to mend relations with Trump’s administration, penned a letter of apology to the US president. He traveled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he engaged in discussions with Saudi leaders but delegated the ceasefire talks to his top aides. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s national security advisor Mike Waltz are representing the United States in the negotiations. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Rubio expressed optimism that the suspension of aid could be resolved during discussions.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a good meeting and good news to report,” Rubio told reporters. He also clarified that while intelligence sharing had been restricted, it had not been entirely cut off for defensive operations.

One major point of contention remains a proposed agreement that would grant the US access to significant portions of Ukraine’s mineral resources as compensation for past weapons supplies. Zelensky has indicated that he remains open to signing such an agreement, but Rubio stated that the matter would not be the primary focus of the upcoming talks.

Russia Escalates Attacks as Ukraine Strikes Back

Since Trump’s White House meeting with Zelensky, Russia has ramped up its offensive, striking key Ukrainian infrastructure and reclaiming villages in the Kursk region that Ukraine had previously seized in an attempt to gain leverage. In response, Ukraine launched one of its most extensive drone attacks on Moscow, an action Russian officials described as a “massive strike.” Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, reported that Russian air defenses intercepted 69 drones overnight. The attack resulted in one confirmed death and three injuries, according to Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov.

Ukraine’s Proposal for a Limited Ceasefire

Amid mounting military pressure and diplomatic strains, Ukraine is putting forth a proposal for a partial ceasefire, focusing on de-escalating hostilities in the air and at sea. A Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously to AFP, stated that Kyiv believes these specific ceasefire measures would be easier to implement and monitor compared to a broader cessation of hostilities.

“We do have a proposal for a ceasefire in the sky and at sea because these are options that are easier to install and monitor,” the official said.

The Ukrainian government’s hope is that this limited ceasefire could serve as a stepping stone to broader peace talks. Rubio has signaled that Trump’s administration might be receptive to the proposal, stating that while the measure alone may not be sufficient to end the war, it represents the type of concession necessary for progress.

“You’re not going to get a ceasefire and an end to this war unless both sides make concessions,” Rubio stated. “The Russians can’t conquer all of Ukraine, and obviously, it will be very difficult for Ukraine to force Russia all the way back to where they were in 2014.”

Key Conditions for a Permanent Peace Agreement

Before engaging in any broader negotiations, Zelensky met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss Ukraine’s conditions for a permanent peace settlement. Among the key demands put forth by Kyiv are the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children whom Ukraine claims Russia has abducted.

“The leaders discussed the possible mediation of Saudi Arabia in the release of military and civilian prisoners and the return of deported children,” the Ukrainian president’s office stated.

Additionally, the discussions touched on security guarantees that would prevent future conflicts and ensure Ukraine’s long-term stability. While Kyiv remains committed to resisting Russian aggression, there is growing recognition that a diplomatic solution may be necessary to secure a lasting peace.

US Diplomacy Balancing Between Ukraine and Russia

Despite the ongoing hostilities, Rubio emphasized that the US delegation would not be drawing new territorial boundaries at the Jeddah meeting. Instead, he and his team intend to take Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal back to Russia for further consideration.

This latest development follows a previous diplomatic engagement in which Rubio and Waltz met with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia, marking the first high-level US-Russia talks since former President Joe Biden implemented sanctions and diplomatic freezes following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Trump, despite his administration’s apparent shift in policy, has continued to pressure Russia with the threat of additional sanctions should it refuse to negotiate an end to the conflict. However, his recent approach has unsettled US allies, particularly European nations, who have expressed concerns about Washington’s stance.

Reactions from the International Community

The abrupt shift in US policy under Trump has generated strong reactions from European leaders. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the White House meeting as “unspeakable” and warned that the changing geopolitical landscape would require European nations to take on a greater role in global security.

French Senator Claude Malhuret also criticized Trump’s handling of the situation, accusing the US president of failing to see through Russian propaganda. In a speech that gained widespread attention, Malhuret argued that Russia has struggled to make significant territorial gains despite three years of aggressive military action.

“The American lifeline to Putin is the biggest strategic mistake ever made during a war,” Malhuret stated.

As Ukraine pushes forward with its diplomatic outreach in Saudi Arabia, the outcome of these negotiations could have profound implications for the future of the conflict. Whether the proposed partial ceasefire will be enough to regain Washington’s full support remains uncertain, but for Ukraine, securing US military assistance and intelligence-sharing is a top priority as it continues to resist Russian aggression.