US resumes intelligence sharing, security aid to Ukraine

US resumes intelligence sharing, security aid to Ukraine

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA  — U.S. President Donald Trumps administration will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine following Tuesdays talks between senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials are expected to speak with Russian officials in the coming days. Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is reportedly set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week.

After nearly eight hours of talks, Ukraine announced its readiness to accept the U.S. proposal for an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia, pending Kremlin approval.

On March 5, Trump ordered a suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a move seen as an effort to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into talks with Russia to end the war.

The Kremlin had no immediate comment on a ceasefire proposal from the U.S. and Ukraine. Russias Foreign Ministry said only that negotiations with U.S. officials could take place this week.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz led the U.S. delegation in Jeddah amid Trumps push to broker a swift end to the war that began in early 2022 with Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy did not take part in Tuesdays meetings, with Ukraine represented by Zelenskyy chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and military commander Pavlo Palisa.

Rubio told reporters late Tuesday that Ukraine has taken a concrete step toward ending the war.

Now hopefully well take this offer now to the Russians. And we hope that theyll say yes. That theyll say yes to peace. The balls now in their court, he said.

Waltz said he will speak with his Russian counterpart in the coming days, while Rubio attends the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada. On Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will visit the White House. All these discussions are part of the efforts to advance the peace process.

Waltz also told reporters that U.S. and Ukrainian officials delved into substantive details on how the war will permanently end and the types of guarantees needed for Ukraines long-term security and prosperity.

Before entering talks, Yermak told reporters that Ukraine is ready to do everything to achieve peace.

When asked whether Ukraine is seeking security guarantees, Yermak responded yes, emphasizing that Ukraine wants to ensure Russia never repeats its aggression.

Mineral deal?

Trump has voiced interest in making continued military aid conditional on access to Ukraines raw materials.

More than four dozen minerals, including several types of rare earths, nickel and lithium, are considered critical to the U.S. economy and national defense. Ukraine has large deposits of uranium, lithium and titanium.

Following Tuesdays talks, the joint statement said both sides agreed to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraines critical mineral resources to expand Ukraines economy and guarantee Ukraines long-term prosperity and security.

An agreement on the matter had been expected to be signed last month by Trump and Zelenskyy but was canceled after their tense Oval Office meeting Feb. 28.

For Rubio, this marks the second visit to Saudi Arabia since taking office. He and other senior U.S. officials held talks with Russian officials in Riyadh on Feb. 18. He is scheduled to travel to Canada on Wednesday for meetings with G7 foreign ministers.

Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.