Ceasefire Push: Is Ukraine Yielding Under U.S. Pressure?

The Trump administration asserts that Ukraine’s leadership is “ready to move forward” with U.S. demands for a ceasefire with Russia, according to a senior State Department official.

As part of the diplomatic push, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are set to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for discussions with Ukrainian representatives.

President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a swift ceasefire with Moscow. However, the U.S. has not yet made any formal commitments to providing long-term security assurances for Ukraine.

Just ten days ago, tensions between the two leaders spilled into public view at the White House, where Trump suggested that Zelensky was not yet prepared to bring the war to an end.

High-Level Talks in Saudi Arabia

A senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously, said the participation of top Ukrainian officials in the upcoming discussions in Jeddah signals that Kyiv is willing to engage.

Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit but is not expected to take part in formal negotiations with the U.S. delegation. Instead, Ukraine will be represented by Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelensky’s office, along with the country’s national security adviser and foreign and defense ministers.

In a video address on Sunday, Zelensky stated: “We hope for results – both in bringing peace closer and in continuing support.”

The Ukrainian president has been under significant U.S. pressure to make concessions ahead of any potential negotiations, but he continues to insist on firm security guarantees from Washington. He has repeatedly highlighted Russia’s history of breaking previous ceasefire agreements.

U.S. Threatens More Sanctions as Russia Gains Battlefield Momentum

On Friday, Trump warned that additional sanctions against Russia were on the table as part of efforts to pressure Moscow into a ceasefire. Russia is already subject to extensive U.S. sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine.

Trump justified the potential move by stating: “Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now.”

Also read: New Russia Sanctions on the Table? Trump Issues Stern Warning Over Ukraine Attacks

Following their public clash, Zelensky sought to smooth over relations with Washington, Ukraine’s biggest military backer. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, later revealed that the U.S. president had received a letter from Zelensky expressing both an “apology” and a “sense of gratitude.”

According to Witkoff, the U.S. delegation in Saudi Arabia aims to establish a “framework” for peace talks to bring an end to the war.

Minerals Deal Back on the Table?

In addition to ceasefire discussions, reports suggest that a stalled minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine could be revived in Jeddah. Ukraine has reportedly offered Washington access to its rare earth mineral reserves in exchange for stronger security guarantees.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko stressed the importance of maintaining U.S.-Ukraine ties, telling BBC Radio 4: “Otherwise, if there is a deal outside of these terms, then we will just say no, that’s all. Because it’s our army fighting.”

U.S. Military Aid and Intelligence Sharing Paused

The fallout from the White House dispute led to Washington temporarily halting military aid and suspending intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.

However, when asked on Sunday if the intelligence freeze would be lifted, Trump responded: “Well, we just about have. I mean, we really just about have and we want to do anything we can to get Ukraine to be serious about getting something done.”