US Resumes Intel Sharing, Ukraine Accepts 30-Day Ceasefire

Key Developments:

• The US resumes intelligence sharing and security assistance to Ukraine.
• Ukraine agrees to an immediate 30-day ceasefire with Russia.
• Talks between US and Ukrainian officials took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• The decision follows tensions between Zelenskyy and Trump over military aid.

US Reverses Decision on Security Aid

After a period of halted military aid and intelligence sharing, the US has decided to resume support for Ukraine. The move was announced following discussions between US and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with national security advisor Mike Waltz, represented the Trump administration at the talks. Rubio stated that the decision now rests with Russia, saying, “The ball is now in Moscow’s court.”

Ukraine Agrees to 30-Day Ceasefire

During the discussions, Ukraine agreed to a temporary ceasefire for 30 days, a step seen as a potential breakthrough in ending the ongoing war with Russia. Ukrainian officials, led by Andriy Yermak, a top aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, participated in the negotiations.

While Zelenskyy himself was not part of the meeting, he had earlier expressed hope that the Jeddah talks would yield “practical outcomes” and strengthen Ukraine-US ties.

Background: US-Ukraine Relations in Turmoil

The US, which has been Ukraine’s primary ally since Russia’s invasion in 2022, had recently paused its military assistance and intelligence sharing with Kyiv. This shift in policy came after a heated exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy at the Oval Office last month.

Before the talks, Rubio emphasized the need to gauge Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions in pursuit of a peace deal. “You’re not going to get a ceasefire unless both sides make concessions,” he told reporters.

The Jeddah Peace Talks

The negotiations in Jeddah follow a rare meeting between US and Russian officials in Riyadh last month, aimed at restoring diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, tensions escalated as Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow, causing casualties and disrupting flights.

Russia reported that 337 Ukrainian drones were intercepted, while Ukraine’s counterattacks followed Russian missile strikes that recently killed at least 14 people.

What’s Next?

With Ukraine agreeing to a ceasefire and the US resuming its support, attention now shifts to Moscow’s response. The success of the Jeddah talks will depend on whether Russia agrees to de-escalate the conflict and engage in further negotiations.