Ceasefire Talks to Kick Off Next Week—Ukraine Confirms Start Date

Discussions on a proposed 30-day temporary ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine are set to begin next week, between March 17 and 23, Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak told reporters after U.S.-Ukraine negotiations in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian media outlet Ukrinform reported on March 11.

“Next week, we have already agreed that at the technical expert level, teams will start discussing all the details,” Yermak said.

He noted that the U.S. is expected to present the proposals developed during the U.S.-Ukraine talks to the Russian side.

“After this meeting, the key is now in Russia’s hands. And the whole world will see who truly wants peace and who only talks about it,” Yermak stated.

During the March 11 negotiations in Jeddah, Ukrainian representatives agreed to the U.S. proposal for a 30-day temporary ceasefire.

The U.S. also pledged to immediately resume halted arms deliveries to Ukraine and reinstate intelligence-sharing efforts. Washington has committed to conveying the results of the talks to Moscow.

Yermak also confirmed that discussions in Jeddah touched on various security guarantee options.

“We reviewed different options today, and multiple proposals are on the table. Since these consultations and negotiations are still ongoing, I wouldn’t want to disclose specific details yet… But these guarantees must unequivocally prevent any future aggression,” Yermak said.

He emphasized that security guarantees are being developed with the involvement of both the U.S. and European partners.

“We clearly understand what we need. Our American partners understand this too, and they approach the issue with full awareness. These talks are ongoing. Today, we took a very important first step, but there is still a lot of work ahead,” he added.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov noted during a briefing that there are framework agreements in place, and Ukrainian and U.S. teams will continue working together at an operational level.

Earlier, Yermak in an opinion piece for The Guardian wrote that 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.

“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.