Rubio finds Ukrainian proposal for partial ceasefire promising

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio today described as promising Ukraine's proposal for a partial ceasefire in the war with Russia.

"I'm not saying that alone will be enough, but it's the kind of concession needed to end the conflict," Rubio told reporters shortly before landing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he is scheduled to lead a US delegation in talks with Ukrainian officials tomorrow.

American and Ukrainian officials are meeting tomorrow in Jeddah to discuss ways to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has lasted more than three years.

Kiev will propose a "ceasefire in the air and at sea" with Moscow, an unnamed Ukrainian official told AFP today, adding that these are easy-to-implement and monitor options for a ceasefire that could be a start.

Tomorrow's meeting between the Americans and Ukrainians in Jeddah will be the first since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's disastrous visit to the White House in February, when Zelensky and US President Donald Trump clashed verbally.

Washington has since suspended its military aid to Ukraine and intelligence sharing, and Kiev is trying to sort things out with the US President.

Rubio also said he hoped the suspension of US military aid to Kiev could be resolved during talks in Saudi Arabia on the war in Ukraine.

"I think the general issue of the suspension of aid is an issue that we hope we can resolve. Obviously, what happens tomorrow will be decisive on that," the US diplomat said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in Jeddah today, but he will talk to the Saudi crown prince and Saudi officials and is not scheduled to speak with the US secretary of state.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said the talks in Saudi Arabia should define a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire.