Rubio, Waltz tout 'positive step forward' in Ukraine-Russia peace talks
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz discuss ending the 'horrific fighting' in Ukraine.
Russia is waiting for Washington to deliver details on U.S.-Ukrainian cease-fire talks that took place in Saudi Arabia before commenting on the proposal, the Kremlin said Wednesday.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow is awaiting "detailed information" from the U.S. about the 30-day cease-fire plan that Ukraine agreed to, suggesting that Russia must get briefed on those details before it can say whether a proposed cease-fire is acceptable.
Russia has so far opposed anything short of a permanent end to the conflict and has not accepted any concessions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the American delegation in Tuesday's talks with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia, said Ukraine was open to a 30-day cease-fire. Rubio said the U.S. will brief Russia on the proposal’s details.
UKRAINE ACCEPTS DEAL, SAYS RUBIO: ‘WE’LL TAKE THIS TO THE RUSSIANS'
U.S. envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is heading to Russia later this week, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News, after media reports said Witkoff is planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
"We're going to bring it to them directly," Rubio told reporters, referring to Russia. "We're going to say that Ukraine is prepared to stop all battlefield activity and begin an immediate process of negotiating an enduring end of the war. And we'll see what their response is. If their response is yes, then we know we've made real progress, and there's a real chance of peace. If their response is no, it will be highly unfortunate, and then it'll make their intentions clear."
From left, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Ukrainian Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak hold a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, March 11, 2025.? (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP)
Following the talks in Saudi Arabia, the Trump administration lifted its suspension of military aid for Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s invasion.
EVEN IF TRUMP SECURES UKRAINE-RUSSIA PEACE DEAL, CAN PUTIN BE TRUSTED?
President Donald Trump said he hoped that an agreement could be solidified "over the next few days."
"I’ve been saying that Russia’s been easier to deal with so far than Ukraine, which is not supposed to be the way it is," Trump said later Tuesday. "But it is, and we hope to get Russia. But we have a full ceasefire from Ukraine. That’s good."
Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel to Moscow this week, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News on Tuesday after media reports said Witkoff is planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Rubio was optimistic about the talks in Saudi Arabia, writing in a post on X that "today was a good day for peace," though the decision to move forward now rests with Russia.
"Thanks to @POTUS's leadership and under the gracious hospitality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, we are one step closer to restoring durable peace for Ukraine," Rubio said. "The ball is now in Russia's court."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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