US agrees to resume military aid as Kyiv backs ceasefire proposal

The United States and Ukraine announced on March 11 a decision to resume military aid and intelligence sharing, following Kyiv’s readiness to support Washington’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia.

The agreement, reached after over eight hours of talks in Saudi Arabia, marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Ukraine under President Donald Trump, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western media.

Ceasefire proposal moves to Moscow

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington would now present the ceasefire proposal to Russia, emphasizing that the next move rests with Moscow.

"Our hope is that the Russians will answer 'yes' as quickly as possible, so we can get to the second phase of this, which is real negotiations," Rubio said.

The Kremlin, while signaling openness to peace discussions, has repeatedly rejected short-term ceasefires that could allow Ukraine to regroup militarily. President Vladimir Putin has insisted that any deal must guarantee Russia’s long-term security and has ruled out territorial concessions.

Diplomatic efforts and security guarantees

The ceasefire proposal, if accepted by Russia, would cover fighting along the frontlines but exclude air and naval engagements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the initiative a "positive proposal" and stressed that Ukraine and its allies would use the ceasefire period to work on long-term security guarantees.

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart in the coming days, while Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to visit Moscow for discussions with Putin. Trump himself expressed optimism about the ceasefire, saying he hoped for a resolution within days.

U.S.-Ukraine relations reset

The agreement comes after a tense February 28 meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, which led to a suspension of U.S. military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. That move underscored Trump’s skepticism towards continued aid to Kyiv and his more conciliatory stance toward Moscow. However, the March 11 deal signals a policy shift, with both sides agreeing to finalize a comprehensive agreement on Ukraine’s critical mineral resources, which had been stalled due to diplomatic tensions.

Trump has now invited Zelenskyy back to the White House, further indicating a thaw in relations. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to visit Washington on Thursday for discussions related to European involvement in the peace process.

Next steps in the peace process

While the U.S. and Ukraine have taken a major step toward negotiations, Russia’s response remains uncertain. With conflicting demands and ongoing military escalations, the success of the ceasefire proposal will depend on whether Moscow sees the initiative as a viable path to a broader peace agreement. For now, the world watches as diplomatic and military maneuvers continue to shape the next phase of the conflict.

By Khagan Isayev