**US Secretary of State Speaks on Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire**
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, expressed hope that Russia would accept the proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Ukraine. He made this statement during a press conference in Saudi Arabia after talks with Ukrainian officials.
Rubio emphasized that it is up to Russia to decide whether or not to accept the offer. “The ball is in their court,” he said. If Russia rejects the proposal, Rubio believes it will be clear what is blocking peace efforts.
Ukraine has agreed to stop fighting for 30 days if Russia also complies with the agreement. The US Secretary of State noted that Ukraine wants to end hostilities and start negotiating. He added that US President Donald Trump has made it clear he wants the war to end quickly.
Rubio was asked about the deadline for a truce agreement, but did not provide a specific date. He emphasized that Washington hopes to achieve this “as soon as possible.”
There are differing opinions on how a ceasefire would work in practice. Ukraine’s delegation proposed implementing a partial truce in the skies and at sea, while the US side wants to do more. Russia’s stance is unclear.
Ways to enforce any ceasefire remain uncertain. Kyiv has emphasized that firm security guarantees from the US and other partners are essential for a genuine cessation of hostilities. The city has previously pointed out that Russia has repeatedly broken multiple ceasefires since starting its aggression in 2014.
**Read More**: Ball is in their court, Rubio says on Russia’s move toward ceasefire with Ukraine @ kyivindependent.com
