The US national security advisor made the remark on Tuesday following Ukraine’s agreement to a US proposal for a ceasefire
US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has announced that he will get in touch with his “Russian counterpart” in the coming days to discuss a potential settlement to the Ukraine conflict.
The official made the remark following negotiations with a Ukrainian delegation, who reportedly agreed to Washington’s proposal for an interim ceasefire.
At a press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia late on Tuesday, Waltz said that the Ukrainian delegation had made it clear that “they share President [Donald] Trump’s vision for peace” and “his determination to end the fighting.” The official added that Kiev’s representatives had “made concrete steps and concrete proposals.”
“I will talk to my Russian counterpart in the coming days,” Waltz added.
According to the US national security advisor, “as a result of this positive step forward, the president has decided to lift the pause on aid and on our security assistance to Ukraine going forward and that’s effective immediately.”
The official was referring to the suspension of assistance that had followed a heated altercation between Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance at the White House late last month.
Rubio, in turn, stated that the Ukrainian delegation had expressed readiness to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations with Russia. The secretary of state added that the “ball is now in [Moscow’s] court,” saying he is hopeful Russia will “say yes to peace.”
When asked if the ceasefire is partial or comprehensive, the secretary of state reiterated that the “offer is to stop the shooting,” stressing that halting hostilities is essential for further peace negotiations.
“Obviously now that’ll be delivered to the Russians… through our diplomatic channels,” the diplomat clarified. He said that Washington seeks a permanent resolution to the conflict “in a way that’s acceptable and enduring for both sides.”
Replying to a question as to whether Washington has set any “deadline” for Moscow to respond, Rubio said that the US hopes “the Russians will answer… yes as quickly as possible, so we can get to the second phase of this which is real negotiations, not never-ending dialogue.”
He argued that the “best goodwill gesture the Russians can provide” is to agree to an immediate cessation of the fighting.
Since before his inauguration in January, President Trump has promised to quickly end the Ukraine conflict. Recently, he pressured Kiev to abandon its demand for the restoration of pre-conflict borders and compromise with Russia. After his confrontation with Zelensky last month, Trump concluded that Ukraine was not ready for peace and warned that continued resistance could lead the US to cut off aid.
The Kremlin has expressed its readiness to engage in dialogue with Ukraine, provided that Ukraine acknowledges the “reality on the ground.” President Putin has previously advocated a comprehensive solution to the conflict’s root causes rather than just a temporary truce.
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