Russia is waiting for Washington to provide details on U.S.-Ukrainian cease-fire discussions held in Saudi Arabia before making any comments on the proposal, the Kremlin revealed on Wednesday.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Moscow is anticipating “specific information” from the U.S. regarding the 30-day cease-fire initiative that Ukraine has agreed to. He emphasized the need for Russia to be informed of these specifics before determining the acceptability of the proposed cease-fire.
Russia has so far opposed anything short of a permanent end to the conflict and has not accepted any concessions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, leading the American delegation during the talks with Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia, indicated that Ukraine had demonstrated willingness to consider a 30-day cease-fire. Rubio confirmed that the U.S. would provide Russia with a thorough briefing on the details of the proposal.
President Donald Trump said he hoped that an agreement could be solidified “over the next few days.”
“I’ve been saying that Russia’s been easier to deal with so far than Ukraine, which is not supposed to be the way it is,” Trump said later Tuesday. “But it is, and we hope to get Russia. But we have a full ceasefire from Ukraine. That’s good.”
Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel to Moscow this week, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News on Tuesday after media reports said Witkoff is planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Rubio was optimistic about the talks in Saudi Arabia, writing in a post on X that “today was a good day for peace,” though the decision to move forward now rests with Russia.
“Thanks to @POTUS’s leadership and under the gracious hospitality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, we are one step closer to restoring durable peace for Ukraine,” Rubio said. “The ball is now in Russia’s court.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.