The United States and Ukraine have agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia must accept the deal to stop the fighting. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the “ball is now in Russia’s court” after Ukraine accepted the American proposal. The ceasefire would halt all combat, missile strikes, and Black Sea operations. If Russia agrees, the truce could start immediately and might even be extended.
The U.S. has already restarted sending weapons and sharing intelligence with Ukraine. This move comes after President Trump paused aid over a disagreement with Ukraine’s leader. Rubio praised Trump’s focus on ending the war quickly, calling it a “costly and bloody” conflict. The deal was worked out during talks in Saudi Arabia, where American and Ukrainian officials met for nine hours.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said his country is ready for peace but warned Russia must prove it wants to stop the war. He thanked Trump for pushing the plan and stressed that Ukraine’s security needs guarantees. Ukrainian officials hope the ceasefire will lead to talks about ending the war for good. They also want Europe involved in future peace efforts.
Russian leaders, however, aren’t happy. A top Russian lawmaker called the ceasefire “unacceptable” and claimed it would let Ukraine rearm. Pro-Kremlin bloggers accused the U.S. of trickery, saying Russia can’t trust temporary deals. Moscow hasn’t officially rejected the plan yet but says it needs more details. Russian forces are still attacking Ukrainian cities, killing civilians overnight.
President Trump said he’ll speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin soon. He hopes Russia will agree to the ceasefire within days. Trump’s team plans to send an envoy to Moscow to push the proposal. The White House sees this as a test of Putin’s intentions. If Russia says no, Trump warned, the world will see who truly wants peace.
European leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s Keir Starmer backed the ceasefire but stressed Ukraine needs strong security promises. They worry Russia might use a truce to regroup. Meanwhile, U.S. officials hinted that future economic deals with Ukraine could help deter Russian aggression. Critics argue Europe should spend more on defense instead of relying on America.
Fighting hasn’t stopped. Russian missiles hit Zelensky’s hometown, killing at least one person. Four foreign sailors died when a cargo ship was attacked. Ukrainian troops are holding their ground but admit Russia is gaining in some areas. The U.S. says neither side can win outright, making talks the only path to peace.
Now the world waits to see if Russia will take the deal. Rubio said America has done its part by getting Ukraine to agree. The next move is up to Putin. If he rejects the ceasefire, it could mean more bloodshed—and prove Russia isn’t serious about ending the war. For now, the hope for peace hangs on Moscow’s answer.
