U.S. Officials Traveling to Moscow for Ukraine Ceasefire Talks
U.S. officials are heading to Moscow for ceasefire talks in Ukraine following a preliminary agreement from Ukrainian officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the necessity of negotiations for peace. Trump expressed optimism about securing a ceasefire while acknowledging ongoing military actions. The Kremlin is evaluating the ceasefire proposal with indications of future communications.
President Donald Trump announced that U.S. officials are traveling to Russia to negotiate a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. This development follows a 30-day ceasefire agreement reached by Ukrainian officials after discussions with American representatives in Saudi Arabia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that achieving peace necessitates negotiations, indicating that the responsibility now lies with Russia to respond positively to the proposal.
The Kremlin has acknowledged receipt of the ceasefire proposal and is currently reviewing it. Trump mentioned a possible phone conversation between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin could occur in the future. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky stated that the U.S. must now persuade Russia to agree to the offer, which he considers beneficial.
While speaking with Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, in the Oval Office, Trump reported that he had received encouraging signals regarding the ceasefire possibility but cautioned that preliminary positive messages hold little weight in such a severe context. Specific names of the officials involved in the negotiations were not disclosed by Trump, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz has been in communication with his Russian counterpart.
It was reported that Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is also heading to Moscow for talks following the Jeddah discussions. Leavitt reiterated the urgency of the situation, stating, “We urge the Russians to sign on to this plan. This is the closest we have been to peace in this war.” Meanwhile, Dmitry Peskov from the Kremlin indicated that detailed responses regarding the ceasefire would unfold through various channels in the coming days.
Trump expressed that conceding to a ceasefire would be beneficial for Russia while hinting at significant economic repercussions if they do not cooperate. He stated, “we have a very complex situation solved on one side”, referring to land and other negotiations. Although the U.S. and Ukraine are striving for peace, reports indicate that fighting continues unabated in Ukraine, with Russian missile attacks reported in Kryvyy Rih and other locations over recent days.
In summary, U.S. officials are preparing for discussions in Russia aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine, following a preliminary 30-day ceasefire agreement from Ukraine. While President Trump remains optimistic about the potential for peace, he also cautioned on the seriousness of the context. Ongoing conflicts indicate the situation is still tense, with significant military actions continues to occur in Ukraine even during negotiations.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
