US officials are en route to Moscow to engage in discussions regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. This development follows an agreement by Ukrainian officials to a 30-day ceasefire after a pivotal meeting with US representatives in Saudi Arabia.
Kremlin acknowledges US discussions
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the US negotiators’ journey, stating, “It’s true that [US] negotiators are en route and it’s true that contacts are planned. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, we’ll tell you about them later.” The timing of this visit is notable, as the Russian military has recently claimed the recapture of Sudzha, a strategic town in the Kursk region that Ukraine seized last year during a surprise offensive.
During a visit to Kursk, President Vladimir Putin was briefed by military commanders, who reported that Russian forces have reclaimed 86% of the area and are nearing the completion of their operations to eliminate Ukrainian forces.
Calls for US intervention in negotiations
After the discussions between US and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for the US to persuade Russia to accept a “positive” proposal for peace. Following this, Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked that the “ball is truly in their [Russia’s] court,” asserting that peace negotiations are the only viable solution to conclude the conflict.
“We urge the Russians to sign on to this plan. This is the closest we have been to peace in this war,” said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
President Trump also indicated optimism, noting that he had received “positive messages” concerning the ceasefire talks, but cautioned that “a positive message means nothing” in the context of the severe situation at hand.
While the specifics of the US delegation to Moscow remain unclear, it has been reported that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz engaged in discussions with his Russian counterpart. Additionally, Russian news agency RIA confirmed the arrival of US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, who is known for his role as a Middle East envoy.
Trump further stressed that he has the ability to impose financial pressures on Russia, stating, “That would be very bad for Russia. I don’t want to do that because I want to get peace.” He expressed confidence that a ceasefire would be advantageous for Russia, hinting at potential concessions and discussions about territorial aspects connected to the conflict.
The recent meetings represent a significant shift from the previously tense engagements, particularly following a discordant encounter on February 28 that stalled military assistance and intelligence sharing. Relations have since thawed, with Trump asserting that both the “difficult” Ukrainian side and Zelensky are now leaning towards peace.
Despite ongoing negotiations, military activity continues unabated in Ukraine. Reports indicate that Russian drones and missiles targeted areas in Kryvyy Rih, the hometown of President Zelensky, as well as the port city of Odesa, Dnipro, and Kharkiv. Clashes persist in the Kursk region, with Peskov asserting that Russian troops are “successfully advancing” and reclaiming territory previously held by Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian forces originally invaded the Kursk region in August of the previous year, claiming to have captured around 100 towns and villages at their peak. However, Russian forces have subsequently regained most of that territory. During his visit, Putin instructed the military to “fully liberate” the region, though he has yet to comment on the ceasefire proposal reached between Ukraine and the US.
In a Telegram post, Oleksandr Syrsky, head of Ukraine’s military, indicated a potential withdrawal of some Ukrainian troops from Kursk, stating, “In the most difficult situation, my priority has been and remains saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.”