World leaders welcomed on Tuesday (March 11) a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to and said it was now up to Russia to end the fighting, Reuters reports.
Ukraine has agreed to accept a U.S. proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire and to take steps toward restoring a durable peace after Russia's invasion, according to a joint U.S.-Ukraine statement on Tuesday.
The two sides, meeting in Saudi Arabia, also agreed to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources, the statement said.
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in simultaneous statements on X, said they welcomed the news from Jeddah on the U.S.-Ukraine talks, including the proposal for a ceasefire agreement.
"This is a positive development that can be a step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine. The ball is now in Russia’s court," they said on Tuesday.
They added that the EU is ready to play its full part, together with its partners, in the upcoming peace negotiations.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that it seemed there had been an important step towards peace, after Ukraine voiced readiness to accept a United States proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in its conflict with Russia.
"It seems like the Americans and Ukrainians have taken an important step towards peace," Tusk wrote on X.
"And Europe stands ready to help reach a just and lasting peace."
