U.S. to Resume Military Assistance to Ukraine Amid Diplomatic Push

The United States announced on Tuesday that it will resume security and intelligence support to Ukraine as part of a diplomatic initiative to advance peace in the ongoing conflict with Russia. A joint statement released after a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, underscored the necessity of restoring lasting peace for Ukraine and acknowledged the courage of the Ukrainian populace in defending their nation, according to the official website of the U.S. Department of State.

During the discussions, the Ukrainian delegation expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the American people for their support in seeking a resolution to the conflict. Ukraine accepted Washington's offer for an immediate and provisional 30-day ceasefire, which could be extended if both parties agree, contingent upon Russia’s simultaneous acceptance and implementation.

The United States plans to communicate to Moscow that Russian reciprocity is crucial for achieving peace. As part of this process, Washington will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing with Ukraine and resume military assistance, which had been disrupted by debates in the U.S. Congress.

The talks also touched on the importance of humanitarian efforts during the ceasefire, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia. Both parties agreed to appoint negotiating teams and begin immediate discussions to forge a long-term peace agreement that ensures Ukraine’s security.

Additionally, they committed to swiftly finalizing an agreement for the development of Ukraine's critical mineral resources, aiming to bolster its economy and future security. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the progress made during the meeting with Ukraine in Jeddah as a "good day for peace." Through his account on X, Rubio praised President Trump's leadership in the process and thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his hospitality in facilitating the meeting.

Rubio noted that the negotiations signify a significant step toward restoring enduring peace in Ukraine, emphasizing that the onus now lies with Russia, suggesting that Moscow’s cooperation will be key to the process's success.

The gathering in Jeddah occurred amid heightened military tensions in the region. Mere hours before the meeting, Russia reported that its air defenses had shot down over 300 Ukrainian drones in the largest such attack on its territory since the war began. In retaliation, Moscow launched a massive assault on Ukraine with Shahed drones and ballistic missiles, escalating hostilities, according to a Telemundo report.

The Ukrainian delegation, led by senior defense and diplomatic officials, appeared reserved at the start of the meeting. The Saudi Foreign Minister was also present, with the flags of the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine displayed prominently in the room. However, neither U.S. nor Ukrainian officials commented on the drone attack in Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the meeting by emphasizing Ukraine’s pursuit of peace from the conflict’s outset and outlined three negotiation priorities: halting air and maritime attacks, implementing confidence-building measures through the release of prisoners of war, and ensuring the return of Ukrainian children relocated to Russia.

Zelenskyy also stated that the U.S. side understood these arguments and proposed an even greater step: a provisional 30-day ceasefire encompassing the entire front line, not just the Black Sea and airspace. Ukraine accepted this proposal, and now the responsibility lies with Washington to persuade Moscow to join.

The discussions in Jeddah reflect a renewed diplomatic effort following Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump at the White House on February 28. At that time, relations between the two parties were strained due to the suspension of U.S. military aid, and Ukraine was urgently seeking its reactivation.

Beyond the ceasefire, the possibility of a U.S.-Ukraine agreement on access to strategic minerals was discussed, a matter of interest to the Trump administration. Ukraine has expressed willingness to sign such an agreement, which could strengthen its economy and security.

The Kremlin, however, maintains a firm stance and has not offered public concessions. Russia has made it clear that it will only accept peace if Ukraine renounces joining NATO and recognizes the occupied territories as Russian.

Meanwhile, the conflict on the front remains dynamic. Russia has achieved advances in the Donetsk region and has sustained its offensive in recent months. The success of the ceasefire will now depend on the Kremlin’s response and Washington's ability to secure its adherence to the agreement.

The U.S. president has made significant decisions regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On March 4, he ordered a "pause" in military aid to Ukraine to pressure his counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to initiate peace negotiations with Russia. This measure has strained relations between the two leaders, with Trump criticizing Zelenskyy for not showing enough gratitude for U.S. support.

The suspension affects military equipment yet to be delivered to Ukraine, leaving U.S. support for the country in limbo. Russia reacted positively to the decision, claiming it might encourage Ukraine to engage in peace talks, though it also warned that Europe might attempt to compensate for the lack of U.S. support.

Just three days later, on March 7, Trump shifted his stance, threatening to impose "large-scale" economic sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire and definitive peace agreement were not reached. In his message, he urged Moscow and Kiev to negotiate before the situation deteriorated further.

This shift in Trump’s position has created uncertainty about his long-term strategy, as his approach has been more conciliatory towards Russia. However, experts warn that pushing for a rushed agreement could force Ukraine to make territorial concessions to the Kremlin. For the time being, neither Russia nor Ukraine has officially responded to Trump's threat of sanctions.