US Officials Head to Moscow for Ukraine Ceasefire Talks as Putin Visits Kursk

The United States is sending a delegation to Russia to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, President Donald Trump announced. This development follows Ukraine’s agreement to a 30-day ceasefire after discussions with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. believes peace negotiations are the only path to ending the conflict. "The ball is truly in their [Russia’s] court," Rubio said, urging Russia to engage seriously in the talks.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region, parts of which were under Ukrainian control following last year’s incursion. Russian state television showed footage of Putin meeting military commanders, who reported that 86% of the territory had been recaptured.

Progress on Ceasefire Negotiations
During the meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism about the ceasefire proposal. “It is now up to the U.S. to convince Russia to agree to this positive plan,” Zelensky said.

The Kremlin indicated it is reviewing the proposal, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that more details will be relayed through various channels in the coming days. A phone call between Trump and Putin remains a possibility, according to Russian officials.

Speaking alongside Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the Oval Office, Trump said he had received “positive messages” regarding the ceasefire but cautioned that “a positive message means nothing” without concrete action.

U.S. Delegation Prepares for Moscow Talks
While Trump did not specify which officials are traveling to Moscow, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz had spoken with his Russian counterpart. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly leading the delegation.

"We urge the Russians to sign on to this plan," Leavitt said. "This is the closest we have been to peace in this war."

Tensions Persist on the Ground
Despite ongoing negotiations, fighting in Ukraine continues. Russian forces have launched drone and missile attacks on Kryvyy Rih, Zelensky’s hometown, and other key cities, including Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv.

In the Kursk region, Peskov reported that Russian troops are advancing and reclaiming areas once held by Ukrainian forces. Putin, during his visit, ordered the military to “fully liberate” the region. Ukrainian military leader Oleksandr Syrsky confirmed that some Ukrainian troops were withdrawing from the area to prioritize the safety of soldiers.

Trump Pressures Russia
Trump suggested that a ceasefire is in Russia’s best interest and hinted at potential financial measures if progress stalls. “I can do things financially,” Trump warned. “That would be very bad for Russia, but I don’t want to do that because I want to get peace.”

The talks in Jeddah marked the first significant meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials since a contentious February 28 summit between Trump, Zelensky, and Vice President JD Vance. That meeting ended in a temporary pause in U.S. military assistance, which was reinstated following progress in Jeddah.

While Trump indicated that Zelensky and Ukraine now appear more willing to pursue peace, the path forward remains fraught with challenges as the conflict continues to escalate on the ground.