Ukraine will propose a naval and aerial cease-fire with Russia during peace talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, according to a report.
“We do have a proposal for a ceasefire in the sky and ceasefire at sea, because these are the ceasefire options that are easy to install and to monitor, and it’s possible to start with them,” a Ukrainian official told the UK’s Telegraph.
US officials have been planning to use Tuesday’s meeting to determine whether Ukraine is willing to make material concessions to Russia to end the war, according to two American officials. Russian officials will not be at the session.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio flew to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah on Sunday for the bilateral peace talks with Ukrainian officials, who will be led by Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelensky.
Rubio is expected to be joined by national security adviser Mike Waltz and Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
“You can’t say, ‘I want peace,’ and ‘I refuse to compromise on anything,’ ” one of the US officials said of the upcoming talks.
The other official said, “We want to see if the Ukrainians are interested not just in peace but in a realistic peace.
“If they are only interested in 2014 or 2022 borders, that tells you something.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly willing to discuss a temporary truce in Ukraine if the parameters of a final peace settlement are established, sources familiar with the leader’s thinking told Bloomberg.
Russia wants to iron out the details of an eventual peacekeeping mission in Ukraine that would come after a cease-fire, including which countries would be involved.
Zelensky will not attend the peace talks but will meet with Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince, in Saudi Arabia on Monday.
He called for more sanctions against Russia after recent massive airstrikes pounded Ukraine, killing at least 20 people, even amid reports that Putin is ready to make a deal.
Dozens more were injured, including civilians and children.
“Everything that helps Putin finance the war must collapse,” the Ukrainian leader posted on X on Saturday, calling the Russian tactics “vile and inhumane.”
“Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively,” Zelensky wrote.
Moscow claimed it’s retaken three towns in Russian region of Kursk, with some reports saying Ukrainian troops in the area are surrounded.
The attacks followed a US decision Friday to stop sharing satellite images with Ukraine, significantly diminishing the country’s ability to defend itself.
Zelensky said he would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday to “continue to work for the sake of peace.”
He added that he hopes the talks between his team and US officials will bring results.
“This concerns both, bringing peace closer and continuing support,” Zelensky said.
Trump on Sunday expressed optimism about the talks.
“We’re going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week,” he told reporters traveling with him on Air Force One.