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Friday, Mar 13, 2026
Outside the box.
US Officials En Route to Moscow for Ukraine Ceasefire Discussions
Discussions follow Ukrainian acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire amidst ongoing conflict.
US officials are traveling to Moscow to engage in discussions regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, as indicated by President Donald Trump.
This development occurs in the wake of Ukrainian leaders agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire after a significant meeting with American officials held in Saudi Arabia.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the initiative now rests with Russia, stating that the US views peace negotiations as the only viable solution to halt the ongoing conflict.
The Kremlin has announced it is evaluating the ceasefire proposal, and a possible phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place in the near future.
Following the Jeddah meeting on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed that it is imperative for the United States to persuade Russia to accept the ceasefire proposal, which he described as 'positive.' Speaking with Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the Oval Office, Trump mentioned he had received encouraging signals regarding the potential for a ceasefire, though he cautioned that positive messages alone are insufficient given the seriousness of the situation.
The details concerning the officials heading to Moscow remain vague, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz had communicated with his Russian counterpart.
Reports indicated that Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff would lead the discussions in Moscow following the meetings in Jeddah.
The White House affirmed these plans on Wednesday morning.
In a call for Russia to adopt the ceasefire plan, Leavitt remarked that this represents the most promising opportunity for peace since the outset of the conflict.
The Kremlin, through spokesman Dmitry Peskov, confirmed the analysis of the ceasefire proposal and indicated that further communications would emerge through various channels in the coming days.
During the Oval Office event, Trump suggested that a ceasefire would align with Russia's interests, alluding to potential consequences that could affect Russia adversely, although specifics of such measures were not provided.
He cited the necessity for a solution to complex territorial issues and mentioned other considerations related to the conflict.
While the diplomatic engagement unfolds, military confrontations continue in Ukraine.
Reports indicate that Russian drones and missiles targeted several Ukrainian cities including Kryvyy Rih, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv.
Clashes have persisted in the Kursk region of Russia, where Peskov reported that Russian forces are reclaiming territory previously controlled by Ukrainian troops.
This series of negotiations represents a significant moment in US-Ukrainian relations following a turbulent meeting in late February involving Trump, Zelensky, and Vice President JD Vance that reportedly deteriorated into a heated exchange and led to a temporary halt in US military support.
The recent discussions aim to re-establish cooperation and potentially pave the way for a resolution in the ongoing conflict.
This development occurs in the wake of Ukrainian leaders agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire after a significant meeting with American officials held in Saudi Arabia.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the initiative now rests with Russia, stating that the US views peace negotiations as the only viable solution to halt the ongoing conflict.
The Kremlin has announced it is evaluating the ceasefire proposal, and a possible phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place in the near future.
Following the Jeddah meeting on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed that it is imperative for the United States to persuade Russia to accept the ceasefire proposal, which he described as 'positive.' Speaking with Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the Oval Office, Trump mentioned he had received encouraging signals regarding the potential for a ceasefire, though he cautioned that positive messages alone are insufficient given the seriousness of the situation.
The details concerning the officials heading to Moscow remain vague, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz had communicated with his Russian counterpart.
Reports indicated that Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff would lead the discussions in Moscow following the meetings in Jeddah.
The White House affirmed these plans on Wednesday morning.
In a call for Russia to adopt the ceasefire plan, Leavitt remarked that this represents the most promising opportunity for peace since the outset of the conflict.
The Kremlin, through spokesman Dmitry Peskov, confirmed the analysis of the ceasefire proposal and indicated that further communications would emerge through various channels in the coming days.
During the Oval Office event, Trump suggested that a ceasefire would align with Russia's interests, alluding to potential consequences that could affect Russia adversely, although specifics of such measures were not provided.
He cited the necessity for a solution to complex territorial issues and mentioned other considerations related to the conflict.
While the diplomatic engagement unfolds, military confrontations continue in Ukraine.
Reports indicate that Russian drones and missiles targeted several Ukrainian cities including Kryvyy Rih, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv.
Clashes have persisted in the Kursk region of Russia, where Peskov reported that Russian forces are reclaiming territory previously controlled by Ukrainian troops.
This series of negotiations represents a significant moment in US-Ukrainian relations following a turbulent meeting in late February involving Trump, Zelensky, and Vice President JD Vance that reportedly deteriorated into a heated exchange and led to a temporary halt in US military support.
The recent discussions aim to re-establish cooperation and potentially pave the way for a resolution in the ongoing conflict.
