The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has announced that Ukraine has finally signaled willingness to accept an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire.
Rubio who spoke from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, called the acceptance a “critical moment” for global stability.
This dramatic turn of events now puts the fate of the ongoing war squarely in Russia’s hands.
It is hoped that the ceasefire proposed by the United States during high-stakes peace talks, will mark the first real step toward ending the brutal conflict, only if Moscow agrees to lay down its arms.
“The ball is now in Russia’s court,” Rubio was quoted by the BBC as declaring, making it clear that the next move belongs to the Kremlin.
Under the proposed truce, all hostilities would halt for 30 days, with an option for extension if both sides agree.
However, the ceasefire remains contingent on Russia’s approval—a factor that leaves the world on edge as officials brace for Moscow’s response.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz revealed that discussions have delved into not just a temporary ceasefire, but a long-term resolution to the war.
Waltz confirmed that he would engage directly with his Russian counterpart in the coming days, while Rubio prepares to take the proposal to the G7 foreign ministers.
When pressed on the details of the ceasefire, Rubio offered a starkly simple response: “The offer is to stop the shooting.”
