What’s in the US-proposed Russia and Ukraine ceasefire deal?

Published

4 months ago

March 12, 2025

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is ready to agree to a ceasefire with Russia after successful talks with the US today.

The Ukrainian president said on Telegram that “we are ready to take this step” and said the US “must convince Russia to do this”.

Ukraine war latest: Trump warns Putin ‘it takes two to tango’

Following a meeting with Kyiv officials in Saudi Arabia, US secretary of state Marco Rubio told reporters “the ball is now in Russia’s court” and the next step is for Moscow to agree to terms.

US President Donald Trump said “we want to get the Ukraine war over with” and hopes to have a total ceasefire in the coming days.

But what has been agreed by the US and Ukraine? Here’s what we know so far…

Straight after the nine-hour talks in Jeddah, the US State Department said Washington would immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine.

Mr Zelenskyy confirmed in his post that an “important element of today’s conversation is America’s readiness to restore defensive assistance to Ukraine, as well as intelligence support”.

As part of their plan, the US said both sides should agree to an immediate 30-day ceasefire which could then be mutually extended.

A joint statement from the US and Ukraine added that Washington “will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace”.

The Ukrainian president added that the proposal was “not only concerning rockets, drones, and bombs, not only in the Black Sea, but also along the entire front line” – although the official statement does not mention this.

The statement also makes no mention of territory – despite Ukraine previously calling for Russia to return occupied lands, and the US saying Kyiv might have to concede territory – or the foreign deployment of soldiers in Ukraine for peacekeeping.

The joint statement does say officials discussed aid efforts as part of the peace process, including “the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children”.

Ukraine also reiterated that European partners would be involved in the peace process, and both countries agreed a deal on Kyiv’s minerals and rare earths should “conclude as soon as possible”.

What has Ukraine said?

Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine agrees to the terms, adding that “the American side understands our arguments” and “accepts our proposals”.

He then said he wanted “to thank President Trump for the constructiveness of the conversation between our teams,” before adding: “Ukraine is ready for peace.

“Russia must show whether it is ready to stop the war or continue it. The time has come for the full truth.”

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha – who was in Jeddah for the talks – called the meeting a step forward “both on the path to peace and in developing the strategic Ukraine-US partnership” on social media.

And speaking to Sky News’ Mark Austin, Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko added that “we will have to wait and see what comes of it” but that “clearly it’s good news”.

“On first glance it’s amazing,” she said. “If we can get the Russians to agree to a ceasefire for 30 days, then our soldiers on the frontline will have a break…”

However, she said: “In previous years [Russia has] shown an absolute inability to understand what a ceasefire is and to stick to the basic rules of a ceasefire – which means not firing any weapons.”

What has the US said?

Mr Rubio said the next step is “going to take the offer” to Russia, adding: “We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table, Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking, and now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no.

“I hope they’re going to say yes, and if they do then I think we made great progress.”

Mr Trump echoed this outside the White House, saying Ukraine has agreed to the “total ceasefire” and that “hopefully Russia will agree to it”.

He added that he will speak to Vladimir Putin in the coming days, warning the Russian president that “it takes two to tango”.

How has Russia reacted?

So far, there’s been no official reaction to the proposal other than to acknowledge Mr Trump’s comments about talks within the next week.

But ahead of the breakthrough talks in Jeddah, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Mr Zelenskyy does not want peace.

According to state news agency TASS, Mr Lavrov added: “Mr Zelenskyy publicly declares that he does not want any ceasefire unless the Americans provide him with assurances that they will launch a nuclear strike on Russia if necessary.

“He frames the issue in much the same manner. For now, [a peace talk] is not serious.”

Mr Zelenskyy has not called for the US to strike Russia with nuclear weapons, but did say last month that Ukraine should be given them if talks on joining NATO are protracted for years.

US

Donald Trump praises Liberian president’s English – the country’s official language

Published

1 hour ago

July 10, 2025

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Donald Trump praises Liberian president's English - the country's official language

Donald Trump has praised the Liberian president’s command of English – the West African country’s official language.

The US president reacted with visible surprise to Joseph Boakai’s English-speaking skills during a White House meeting with leaders from the region on Wednesday.

After the Liberian president finished his brief remarks, Mr Trump told him he speaks “such good English” and asked: “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?”

Mr Trump seemed surprised when Mr Boakai laughed and responded he learned in Liberia.

The US president said: “It’s beautiful English.

“I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”

Mr Boakai did not tell Mr Trump that English is the official language of Liberia.

The country was founded in 1822 with the aim of relocating freed African slaves and freeborn black citizens from the US.

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Mr Trump promised the leaders of Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau a pivot from aid to trade at the surprise meeting.

He described the countries as “all very vibrant places with very valuable land, great minerals, and great oil deposits, and wonderful people”.

Later asked by a reporter if he’ll visit the continent, Mr Trump said, “At some point, I would like to go to Africa.”

But he added that he’d “have to see what the schedule looks like”.

Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden, promised to go to Africa in 2023, but only fulfilled the commitment by visiting Angola in December 2024, just weeks before he left office.

US

Gaza permanent ceasefire ‘questionable’, says Israeli government

Published

1 hour ago

July 10, 2025

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Gaza permanent ceasefire 'questionable', says Israeli government

The Israeli government believes the chances of achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza are “questionable”.

The pessimistic assessment, in a top-level Israeli government briefing given to Sky News, comes as the Israeli Prime Minister prepares to leave Washington DC after a four-day visit which had begun with the expectation of a ceasefire announcement.

Benjamin Netanyahu will leave the US later today with the prospect of even a temporary 60-day ceasefire looking extremely unlikely this week.

Within “a week, two weeks – not a day” is how it was framed in the background briefing late on Wednesday.

Crucially, though, on the chances of the ceasefire lasting beyond 60 days, the framing from the briefing was even less optimistic: “We will begin negotiations on a permanent settlement. But we achieve it? It’s questionable, but Hamas will not be there.”

Sky News has spoken to several Israeli officials at the top level of the government. None will be drawn on any of the details of the negotiations over concerns that public disclosure could jeopardise their chances of success.

But I have been given a very clear understanding of Mr Netanyahu’s thinking.

The Israeli position is that a permanent ceasefire (beyond the initial 60 days, which itself is yet to be agreed) is only possible if Hamas lays down its arms. “If they don’t, we’ll proceed [with the war],” said a source.

The major sticking point in the talks between Hamas and Israel is the status of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) inside Gaza during the 60-day ceasefire and beyond, should it last longer.

The latest Israeli proposal, passed to Hamas last week, included a map showing the proposed IDF presence inside Gaza during the ceasefire.

This was rejected by Hamas and by Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who reportedly told the Israelis that the redeployment map “looks like a Smotrich plan”, a reference to the extreme-right Israeli finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich.

My briefing of Mr Netanyahu’s position is that he has not shifted in terms of Israel’s central stated war aims. The return of the hostages and eliminating Hamas are the key objectives.

But in a hint of how hard it will be to reconcile the differences, it was clear from my briefing that no permanent ceasefire is possible in the Israeli government’s view without the complete removal of Hamas as a political and military entity.

Hamas is not likely to negotiate its way to oblivion.

On the status of the Israeli military inside Gaza, a senior Israeli official told Sky News: “We would want IDF in every square metre of Gaza, and then hand it over to someone.”

It was clear to me that Mr Netanyahu wants his stated position to be that his government has no territorial ambition for Gaza.

One quote to come from my briefing, which I am only able to attribute to a senior Israeli official, says: “[We] don’t want to govern Gaza… don’t want to govern, but the first thing is, you have to defeat Hamas.”

Another clear indication of Mr Netanyahu’s position – a quote from the briefing, attributable only to a senior Israeli official: “You cannot have victory if you don’t clear out all the fighting forces.

“You have to go into every square inch unless you are not serious about victory. I am. We are going to defeat them. Those who do not disarm will die. Those who disarm will have a life.”

On the future of Gaza, it’s clear from my briefings that Mr Netanyahu continues to rule out the possibility of a two-state solution “for the foreseeable future”.

The Israeli government assessment is that the Palestinians are not going to have a state “as long as they cling to that idea of destroying our state”.

On the most controversial aspect of the Gaza conflict – the movement of the population – the briefing revealed that Mr Netanyahu’s view is that 60% of Palestinians would “choose to leave” but that Israel would allow them to return once Hamas had been eliminated.

“It’s not forcible eviction, it’s not permanent eviction,” a senior Israeli official said.

Critics of Israel’s war in Gaza say that any removal of Palestinians from Gaza, even if given the appearance of being “voluntary”, is in fact anything but, because the strip has been so comprehensively flattened.

Reacting to Israeli Defence Minister Katz’s recent statement revealing a plan to move Palestinians into a “humanitarian city” in southern Gaza, and not let them out of that area, the official wouldn’t be drawn, except to say: “As a permanent arrangement? Of course not.”

US

Gaza permanent ceasefire ‘questionable’, says senior Israeli official

Published

4 hours ago

July 10, 2025

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A senior Israeli official has issued a less-than-optimistic assessment of the permanency of any ceasefire in Gaza.

Speaking in Washington on condition of anonymity, the senior official said that a 60-day ceasefire “might” be possible within “a week, two weeks – not a day”.

But on the chances of the ceasefire lasting beyond 60 days, the official said: “We will begin negotiations on a permanent settlement.

“But we achieve it? It’s questionable, but Hamas will not be there.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to conclude a four-day visit to Washington later today.

There had been hope that a ceasefire could be announced during the trip. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that it’s close.

Speaking at a briefing for a number of reporters, the Israeli official would not be drawn on any of the details of the negotiations over concerns that public disclosure could jeopardise their chances of success.

The major sticking point in the talks between Hamas and Israel is the status of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) inside Gaza during the 60-day ceasefire and beyond, should it last longer.

The latest Israeli proposal, passed to Hamas last week, included a map showing the proposed IDF presence inside Gaza during the ceasefire.

The official repeated Israel’s central stated war aims of getting the hostages back and eliminating Hamas. But in a hint of how hard it will be to reconcile the differences, the official was clear that no permanent ceasefire would be possible without the complete removal of Hamas.

“We will offer them a permanent ceasefire,” he told Sky News. “If they agree. Fine. It’s over.

“They lay down their arms, and we proceed [with the ceasefire]. If they don’t, we’ll proceed [with the war].”

On the status of the Israeli military inside Gaza, the official said: “We would want IDF in every square meter of Gaza, and then hand it over to someone…”

He added: “[We] don’t want to govern Gaza… don’t want to govern, but the first thing is, you have to defeat Hamas…”

The official said the Israeli government had “no territorial designs for Gaza”.

“But [we] don’t want Hamas there,” he continued. “You have to finish the job… victory over Hamas. You cannot have victory if you don’t clear out all the fighting forces.

“You have to go into every square inch unless you are not serious about victory. I am. We are going to defeat them. Those who do not disarm will die. Those who disarm will have a life.”

On the future of Gaza, the official ruled out the possibility of a two-state solution “for the foreseeable future”.

“They are not going to have a state in the foreseeable future as long as they cling to that idea of destroying our state. It doesn’t make a difference if they are the Palestinian Authority or Hamas, it’s just a difference of tactics.”

On the most controversial aspect of the Gaza conflict – the movement of the population – the official predicted that 60% of Palestinians would “choose to leave”.

But he claimed that Israel would allow them to return once Hamas had been eliminated, adding: “It’s not forcible eviction, it’s not permanent eviction.”

Critics of Israel’s war in Gaza say that any removal of Palestinians from Gaza, even if given the appearance of being “voluntary,” is in fact anything but, because the strip has been so comprehensively flattened.