“A Ceasefire Has Never Been Closer”: Yermak Urges U.S. to Lead on Peace and Pressure Russia

Ukraine has never been closer to a ceasefire in the war waged by Russia, but achieving a lasting peace will require strong U.S. leadership, tougher sanctions, and firm security guarantees, Ukrainian Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak wrote in an opinion article for The Guardian on March 11.

“As I arrive in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a ceasefire in the three-year war the Russian Federation has waged on my country has never seemed closer,” Yermak stated.

However, he stressed that diplomacy alone will not secure peace—Russia must face sustained political and financial pressure to prevent it from regrouping and launching new offensives.

“No one wants the current war to end more than our people—but a peace must be found that is both just and sustainable,” Yermak wrote, outlining key conditions for a lasting settlement.

According to Yermak, Ukraine must receive robust security guarantees, European nations must tighten and expand sanctions against Russia, and frozen Russian assets—worth an estimated $327 billion (€300 billion)—must be used to support Ukraine’s recovery.

“Europe cannot allow a ceasefire that serves only to allow Russia to rearm, rebuild its forces, and come back for more Ukrainian lands and resources,” he warned.

While Yermak urged the U.S. to take the lead in securing peace, President Donald Trump has refused to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, instead insisting that Europe take primary responsibility for Ukraine’s defense.

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War in Ukraine

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Despite this, Yermak welcomed Europe’s ReArm Europe initiative, which includes up to €150 billion for collective defense spending and an additional €20 billion earmarked for Ukraine’s military needs.

He also praised the European Union’s latest sanctions package, which expands export restrictions and targets Russian aluminum imports, calling it a critical step in cutting off economic lifelines for Russia’s war machine.

Yermak’s remarks come as Ukrainian and U.S. delegations meet in Jeddah to discuss Washington’s future support for Kyiv.

The talks include Yermak, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Zelenskyy’s Deputy Chief of Staff Pavlo Palisa.

The U.S. delegation is led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

Earlier, Rubio expressed optimism about Ukraine’s proposal for a partial ceasefire to end the war with Russia, ahead of talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.

“I’m not saying that alone is enough but it’s the kind of concession you would need to see in order to end the conflict.”

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