Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz have announced Ukraine’s acceptance of a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
“Today, we've made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations to end this conflict in a way that's enduring and sustainable," announced Secretary Rubio.
Adviser Waltz explained that he would soon propose the ceasefire plan to Russian officials and lauded President Donald Trump’s leadership in brokering the Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
"We've gone from IF the war is going to end to now HOW the war is going to end,” said Waltz. “[President Trump] has literally moved the entire global conversation."
Ukraine’s acceptance of the ceasefire plan occurred during the first day of what was supposed to be week-long US-Ukraine negotiations.
Rubio and Waltz’s meeting with Ukrainian officials follows President Trump and Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelesnkyy’s recent acerbic discussion in the Oval Office.
The discussion initiated the rapid deterioration of US-Ukraine relations, as the US subsequently paused all military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine.
Trump, who has repeatedly stated he intends to end the Russia-Ukraine war, had claimed Zelenskyy’s attitude was misplaced and frustrating a potential end to the war.
“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be peace as long as he has America’s backing,” stated Trump.
Now, notwithstanding Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent claims that an end to the war is “still very, very far away,” Ukraine’s acceptance of the Trump administration’s ceasefire plan suggests an end to the war could be near.
“The president has made it clear... that ALL fighting needs to stop — and the Ukrainians have agreed to that proposal, they're ready for peace,” continued Waltz. “And now, we'll take that to the Russians."
Rubio emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate an end to the war with Russia and the latter’s opportunity to secure the end of the war.
“The ball is now in (Russia’s) court,” said Rubio. Adding that if Russia rejects the ceasefire, “then we'll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here."
