Ukraine: The ‘Difficult Path to Peace’ Amid Mixed Signals from Russia

The United States and Ukraine appear to have found common ground after lengthy negotiations on Tuesday (11/3/25) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, signaling a first green light toward achieving a ceasefire. However, Moscow has yet to reveal its cards. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated after the talks that “the ball is now in Russia’s court,” emphasizing that the war cannot end without Russian agreement and President Vladimir Putin’s involvement in the negotiation process. According to SkyNews, messages from the Russian side remain mixed. Following Ukraine’s acceptance of the U.S. proposal, the Russian Foreign Ministry suggested it would not rule out contacts with U.S. representatives in the coming days. While significant issues remain unresolved, there is movement toward ending a war that has lasted over three years. Ukraine sought to restore relations with the U.S., including military aid and intelligence sharing, which were strained after the infamous Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office dispute. The U.S. announced it will resume immediate assistance. Despite progress, peace hinges on Moscow’s consent. While Russian officials claim their military objectives remain unchanged, they also await details of the discussions. Meanwhile, Russian missile strikes on Odessa killed at least four people. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is set to travel to Moscow later this week to discuss diplomatic proposals with President Putin. Achieving lasting and sustainable peace remains challenging, as Putin is unlikely to accept anything less than portraying his ‘special military operation’ as an outright victory. Until an agreement is reached, violence and killings will persist.