This handout photograph taken and released by Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on March 11, 2025, shows US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (3rd L), Ukrainian Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak (2nd R), Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha (R) and Ukraine's Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov (3rd R) as they attend the Ukrainian and US delegations meeting in Jeddah. [Photo/Agencies]
With Ukraine agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire during talks with the United States in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, it seems a path has been found toward resolving the crisis at the heart of the European continent. But diplomatic flexibility and sincerity from all parties involved are crucial to prevent that path meandering nowhere.
After talks with a US delegation, Ukraine has signaled its readiness to accept a US proposal for an "immediate, interim, 30-day ceasefire". The proposed ceasefire covers the entire front line.
If realized, it would be the first ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine crisis since it broke out more than three years ago, marking a breaking of the stalemate that had seemed to be insurmountable. Although it has not rejected the proposal, Russia is yet to accept it, pending the conclusion of its own talks with a US delegation visiting Moscow.
It is US President Donald Trump's policy shift and his administration's efforts to bully, cajole and solicit Ukraine and Russia to the negotiation table that have broken what had appeared to be an unassailable impasse between the two belligerents. As a corollary, this has served to show the unsavory role the previous US administration played in prolonging the conflict. Yet, the US should restrain itself from jeopardizing the potential of its efforts to produce meaningful movement toward peace talks by seeking to be the primary profiteer from any settlement.
The US policy shift has further strained its relations with its European allies, which are having to quick-step to adjust their position in light of the US' changed approach.
Their latest proposal, put forward by the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is that any lasting peace must guarantee Ukraine's sovereignty and security; military aid to Ukraine must continue, while the economic pressure on Russia is increased, Ukraine's defense must continue to be boosted; and European troops will be deployed in Ukraine to act as peacekeepers.
While this would meet Ukraine's demand for a security guarantee, backed up by the US having a manifest interest in safeguarding its newly acquired assets, it is hard to see what is in it for Russia except diplomatic engagement with the US, since it essentially maintains the economic and political pressure on Russia and effectively puts NATO troops on Ukrainian soil.
As such, even if a temporary ceasefire does materialize, it is going to require the three parties to take a leaf out of the US' book and radically change their approach if the prospect of peace is to be given any substance.
A lot of differences will have to be bridged to translate words into reality, and that means compromises will have to be made by relevant parties. The US too, which is looking to exploit the peace process for its own gains, should put that on the back burner and focus on cooking up a way to end the conflict since it is the one that seems to be dangling enticements and threats in front of all the parties concerned.
The Ukraine conflict is deeply entrenched, with high stakes for all parties involved. Ending it will require significant compromises, which neither side has been willing to make up till now. However, despite Russia's recent gains on the battlefield, there is a sense that both sides are now suffering from battle fatigue, and may be receptive to external pressure forcing them to negotiate.
At this stage, it is important that the Europeans do not guzzle the Kool-Aid of their long-gestating fear and loathing of Russia and obstruct the path to peace. Just doubling down on their current approach doesn't cut it. It is in their interests for a permanent peace to be negotiated that includes a viable security framework for the continent.
China has consistently emphasized that a peaceful resolution to the crisis, and a sustainable and lasting peace that addresses both sides' concerns, can only be realized through dialogue and negotiation. And all peace-loving members of the international community should give their support to efforts to get the parties concerned talking sincerely about what a peaceful future on the continent looks like and how to make it a reality.
