Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire with Russian forces, contingent on Russia’s acceptance, according to a statement released Tuesday.
U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss steps toward ending the war, which began with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
"Our hope is that the Russians will say yes, that they will also agree so the shooting will stop, the killing will stop, the dying will stop and the talks can begin about how to end this war permanently in a way that's acceptable and enduring for both sides," said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
As part of the talks, the U.S. agreed to "immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine."
"Both delegations agreed to name their negotiating teams and immediately begin negotiations toward an enduring peace that provides for Ukraine’s long-term security," a joint statement from the U.S. and Ukraine said.
RELATED STORY | Trump reflects on meeting with Zelenskyy: 'He very much overplayed his hand'
The pause in U.S. support was implemented after a contentious meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Ukraine carried out one of its largest attacks since Russia's invasion in 2022, firing around 300 drones, with at least 70 of them targeting the Moscow region, according to Ukrainian officials.
Officials in Moscow claimed that Ukraine was targeting civilian buildings, but the attacks were mostly averted. However, Ukraine said it managed to hit oil facilities not just in the Moscow region but across the country.
RELATED STORY | Trump's diplomatic shift: Hardline measures possible against Russia
