Washington, DC – President Donald Trump announced that US officials are traveling to Russia to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. This initiative follows Ukraine’s agreement to a 30-day ceasefire after a meeting with US officials in Saudi Arabia.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of peace negotiations, stating that the “ball is truly in Russia’s court” to end the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin visited Russia’s Kursk region, which has been partly under Ukraine’s control since an incursion last year.

Russian TV footage showed Putin meeting military commanders who reported that Russian troops had recaptured 86% of the area from Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism about the potential ceasefire, highlighting the need for US intervention to persuade Russia to agree to the proposal.

During a meeting in the Oval Office with Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump shared positive messages regarding the ceasefire possibility but stressed the gravity of the situation. He did not disclose which officials were traveling to Moscow, but Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz had already communicated with his Russian counterpart.

The White House confirmed plans for Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to negotiate in Moscow following discussions in Jeddah. Trump expressed confidence in the ceasefire’s potential benefits for Russia and hinted at financial leverage to pressure them towards peace. The meeting in Jeddah marked a turning point in US-Ukraine relations, leading to the reinstatement of military assistance and intelligence sharing.

Despite ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire, fighting continues in Ukraine, with reported Russian strikes in various cities. Clashes in Russia’s Kursk region persist, with reports of Russian troops making advances. Putin’s recent visit to the region signals a firm stance on liberating the area, although his response to the ceasefire proposal remains unclear. Ukraine’s military leader mentioned troop withdrawals from Kursk, prioritizing the safety of Ukrainian soldiers in the midst of escalating tensions.