Ukraine ceasefire on Russia's terms, not America's: Russian lawmaker

A senior Russian lawmaker, responding to a ceasefire proposal negotiated between US and Ukrainian officials, asserted on Wednesday that any agreement would be dictated by Moscow rather than Washington.

Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the international affairs committee of the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of Parliament, stated in a Telegram post that Russia's military progress in Ukraine would shape the terms of any settlement.

"Russia is advancing in Ukraine, and therefore, the situation will unfold differently for Russia," Kosachev remarked. "Any agreements — while recognising the necessity for compromise — will be established on our terms, not those of the United States. This is not mere rhetoric but a recognition that substantive agreements are determined on the battlefield. Washington must also acknowledge this reality."

The US announced on Tuesday that it would resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following Kyiv’s agreement to support Washington’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. The development was confirmed in a joint statement issued by both nations.

After over eight hours of discussions with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the US would now present the proposal to Russia, placing the next move in Moscow’s hands.

"Our hope is that the Russians will respond affirmatively as soon as possible, allowing us to proceed to the next phase — substantive negotiations," Rubio told reporters, referring to US President Donald Trump.

The Kremlin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago and has since made territorial advances. Russia currently controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.

Rubio underscored Washington’s commitment to reaching a comprehensive agreement with both Russia and Ukraine at the earliest opportunity. "Every passing day prolongs the conflict, leading to further casualties, destruction, and suffering on both sides," he said.

However, Russia’s response remains uncertain. While President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to engage in peace discussions, he and his diplomatic representatives have consistently opposed a ceasefire, instead emphasising the need for an agreement that ensures Russia’s long-term security.

On 20 January, during a meeting with his Security Council, Putin stated that any resolution should not serve as a temporary truce for regrouping and rearmament but should establish a lasting peace. Additionally, he has ruled out territorial concessions, insisting that Ukraine must fully withdraw from four regions that Russia claims and partially controls.

Following the US-Ukraine discussions on Tuesday, the Russian foreign ministry stated that it did not rule out contact with American representatives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in Saudi Arabia but did not participate in the negotiations, described the ceasefire proposal as a "constructive initiative" covering the conflict’s entire frontline, including land, air, and sea operations. Zelenskyy emphasised that the ceasefire would take effect as soon as Russia agreed to the terms.

"Once the agreements come into force, during these 30 days of ‘silence,’ we will have the opportunity to coordinate with our partners and finalise the necessary provisions for a secure and lasting peace," he said.

Rubio confirmed that the ceasefire proposal would be conveyed to Moscow through multiple diplomatic channels. Trump’s national security advisor Mike Waltz is scheduled to meet with his Russian counterpart in the coming days, while Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow this week for discussions with Putin.

On Tuesday, Trump expressed optimism regarding a swift resolution and indicated he might speak with Putin in the coming days. "I hope it will happen within the next few days," he remarked during a White House event promoting Tesla, owned by his close advisor Elon Musk.

The US-Ukraine agreement marked a significant shift from the tense meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy on 28 February. That meeting, characterised by disagreement, led to the suspension of US intelligence sharing and arms shipments to Ukraine, reflecting Trump’s scepticism toward continued support for Kyiv.

However, in their joint statement on Tuesday, the US and Ukraine also pledged to expedite a comprehensive agreement on the development of Ukraine’s critical mineral resources, an initiative that had stalled after the February meeting. Following the renewed commitment, Ukrainian officials confirmed late on Tuesday that US military assistance and intelligence-sharing operations had resumed.

A senior adviser to Zelenskyy disclosed that discussions with US officials also covered potential security guarantees for Ukraine. Security assurances have been a key objective for Kyiv, and certain European nations have expressed a willingness to consider deploying troops to Ukraine as part of such guarantees.

The joint statement further emphasised the importance of European involvement in the peace process. NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte is scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday to discuss the matter.

Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, who participated in the Jeddah discussions, later engaged with several European counterparts to discuss the meeting’s outcomes. Today, Wednesday, Sybiha is set to travel to Poland, a NATO member and longstanding supporter of Ukraine.

"The United States and Ukraine have taken a significant step toward peace, and Europe stands prepared to facilitate a just and lasting resolution," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X.

According to Waltz, the initial phase of resumed US military assistance to Ukraine will involve equipment sourced from stockpiles previously approved by former US President Joe Biden but later suspended by Trump.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have faced increasing pressure, particularly in Russia’s Kursk region, where Moscow’s military has launched an offensive aimed at displacing Ukrainian troops holding strategic positions as leverage in negotiations.

Ukraine, however, demonstrated its own military capabilities with an extensive drone assault on Moscow and surrounding areas — the largest to date. The attack, which involved 337 drones, resulted in the deaths of at least three employees at a meat processing facility and temporarily disrupted operations at Moscow’s four main airports.

This strike follows a series of Russian missile and drone attacks, one of which claimed 14 lives on Saturday.

With agency inputs