US president Donald Trump has invited Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky back to the White House, weeks after their Oval Office bust-up, after the wartime leader said he was open to a total, but temporary, ceasefire.
Earlier tonight, after eight hours of talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine said it was open to a 30-day ceasefire, including drone and missile attacks, naval attacks in the Black Sea and land warfare along the 600-mile front, with Russia, which is yet to comment.
In exchange, the Trump administration said that it would immediately lift its suspension of military aid to Ukraine and its intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
When asked by reporters whether Zelensky was welcome back at the White House, Trump tonight said: ‘Sure, absolutely.’
He added that there is a ‘very big difference’ in the state of Ukraine-US relations between the infamous Oval Office feud, in which Zelensky was unceremoniously booted out, and now.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would present the ceasefire offer to the Kremlin.
‘We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no,’ Mr Rubio said.
‘If they say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.’
President Trump said he would put the deal directly to Putin, telling reporters: ‘I will talk to Vladimir Putin – it takes two to tango. I hope he will agree’.
The US President hinted he will try to claw back some of the Ukrainian territory lost to Russia, saying he would be ‘negotiating land positions’ as part of the talks.
When asked by reporters whether Zelensky was welcome back at the White House, Donald Trump (pictured) tonight said: ‘Sure, absolutely’
Volodymyr Zelensky is welcomed by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz (R) upon his arrival to Jeddah for talks between Ukrainian officials, Saudi and US representatives
The infamous Oval Office feud saw Zelensky get unceremoniously booted out
Last night world leaders piled pressure on Putin to agree to the deal and stop the fighting.
Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the breakthrough and said the ball was now in Putin’s court.
‘This is an important moment for peace in Ukraine and we now all need to redouble our efforts to get to a lasting and secure peace as soon as possible,’ he said.
‘As both American and Ukrainian delegations have said, the ball is now in the Russian court. Russia must now agree to a ceasefire and an end to the fighting too.’
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz hinted that President Trump is ready to pile pressure on Putin, saying he was ‘take tough decisions on all sides’ to push through a lasting deal.
He also indicated he was open to US involvement in safeguarding Ukraine’s future security, telling reporters that talks had included discussion of ‘what kind of guarantees they are going to have for their long term security and prosperity’.
Britain, France and other European countries fear that failure to guarantee Ukraine’s security could allow Putin to use any ceasefire to rearm in preparation for further attacks in the future. They remain deeply sceptical that the Russian tyrant will keep his word.
Sir Keir warned this month that Putin would ‘come again’ unless the West agrees to supply credible security guarantees.
Vladimir Putin speaks with the governor of Arkhangelsk region Alexander Tsybulsky during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Smoke billows above the site of a drone attack in Odesa, southern Ukraine, 11 March 2025
Britain and France have offered to put ‘boots on the ground’ and ‘planes in the air’ to help deter Putin and defend any peace deal. They are now trying to generate a ‘coalition of the willing’ to help bolster any force.
Defence secretary John Healey, who will travel to Paris tomorrow for further talks on the issue, last night said: ‘European nations are stepping up.
‘By deepening our defence cooperation, boosting spending, and enhancing our collective strength, we send a clear message: we will not waver in standing with Ukraine and defending our shared values.’
Sir Keir will convene a further meeting of European and Commonwealth allies on Saturday, with France, Canada, Australia, Sweden and Turkey among those expected to attend.
But British officials believe that any force will only be effective if the US continues to provide a security ‘backstop’. This would involve Washington continuing to supply intelligence and air defences.
One source said the PM also wants President Trump to make clear to Putin that he would get a ‘bloody nose’ if he launches any attack on Western peacekeepers.
A local resident stands in the courtyard of his house while smoke rises from a fire following a strike on the outskirts of Odessa on March 11, 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz announced the breakthrough after their meeting with Ukrainian officials
Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak earlier told reporters that the most important thing was ‘how to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine’.
He said security guarantees were vital to prevent Russia from invading again in the future.
The Kremlin has not publicly offered any concessions. Russia has said it is ready to cease hostilities on condition that Ukraine drops its bid to join NATO and demilitarises and recognises regions that Moscow occupies as Russian.
Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory.
