The Ukrainian government emphasized its intention for a ceasefire ahead of talks with the United States.
Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to the President of Ukraine, told reporters just before attending high-level negotiations with the United States held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the 11th (local time), "We are ready to do everything to achieve peace."
Yermak, along with Foreign Minister Andriy Syvukha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, led the senior Ukrainian delegation in talks with the U.S. senior delegation, including Secretary of State Mark Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Yermak’s public mention of being "ready to achieve peace" and entering the negotiation venue is interpreted as a clear signal of Ukraine’s willingness for a ceasefire.
The Trump administration, which led ceasefire negotiations with Russia, criticized Ukraine’s stance of demanding continuous support from Western countries. The U.S. side accused Ukraine of possibly intending to prolong the war until the situation becomes favorable with Western assistance.
When President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on the 28th of last month, their meeting ended abruptly after a heated exchange, with Trump pressuring Zelensky, suggesting that Ukraine did not seem to desire a ceasefire.
Following the Trump administration’s "shock therapy" of halting arms support and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, the change in Ukraine’s stance during today’s talks is drawing attention.
So far, Ukraine has refrained from mentioning U.S. security guarantees, which it had insisted on as a precondition for ceasefire discussions, and is proposing partial ceasefire measures at sea and in the air.
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