U.S. Restores Military Aid to Ukraine After Cease-Fire Deal—But Will Russia Play Ball?

 

In a dramatic turn of events, the Trump administration has agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv consented to a 30-day cease-fire—provided Russia also agrees to the truce. The move signals a potential de-escalation in the ongoing war but hinges on whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept the deal.

The Cease-Fire Gamble

The agreement, announced after high-stakes negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aims to open the door for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

“Today, we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted—to enter into a cease-fire and immediate negotiations to end this conflict in a way that’s enduring and sustainable,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Now, we will take this offer to the Russians and hope they’ll say ‘yes.’ The ball is in their court.”

President Trump echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the next challenge is securing Putin’s cooperation. “Now we have to go to Russia and hopefully President Putin will agree,” Trump stated at the White House. “We want to get that war over with.”

Ukraine’s Strategic Shift

This marks a sharp pivot from last month’s tense Oval Office meeting, where Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of refusing to negotiate with Moscow. Following that exchange, Trump suspended arms shipments and reduced intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a move that emboldened Russia and its North Korean allies to intensify their attacks on Ukrainian-held territory.

Ukraine initially pushed for a limited cease-fire that would have covered long-range missile and drone strikes as well as naval confrontations in the Black Sea. However, Kyiv ultimately agreed to a full-frontline cease-fire after U.S. pressure.

“We are ready to take this step,” Zelensky said in a video address. “The United States must convince Russia to do the same.”

The Road to Peace—or a Tactical Pause?

While some see the cease-fire as a step toward lasting peace, skeptics fear it could simply provide a tactical breather for Russian forces. Ukraine is pushing for security guarantees and the release of prisoners as part of any broader settlement.

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha framed the truce as a test of Moscow’s sincerity: “This agreement will show who is truly interested in peace.”

However, just hours before the deal was struck, Ukraine launched its largest drone strike yet on Russian territory, killing at least three people. The timing underscores how fragile any cease-fire would be.

Russia’s Silence—and Europe’s Concerns

So far, Moscow has remained silent on the proposal. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently rejected a European plan to deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine—a proposal that Trump, somewhat surprisingly, has entertained.

Trump has also hinted at economic pressure if Putin refuses to engage in peace talks, but his administration has yet to impose any concrete penalties on Russia since taking office. With European allies growing impatient, Trump’s next moves will be closely watched.

The Bigger Picture

Beyond the immediate cease-fire, U.S. and Ukrainian officials also discussed a potential economic partnership involving Ukraine’s mineral wealth. While not the focus of the Jeddah talks, the prospect of a mineral-sharing agreement could reshape the post-war geopolitical landscape.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue. Rubio is heading to Canada for a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will visit the White House, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is set to engage his Russian counterpart.

The Verdict: Progress or a Pause?

With the cease-fire plan now in motion, the world is watching: Will Putin seize the opportunity for peace, or is this just another temporary lull in a grinding war? One thing is clear—Trump’s high-stakes gamble on Ukraine has set the stage for a decisive moment in the conflict.