U.S. resumes aid, intelligence sharing as Ukraine ready for ceasefire

The Trump administration on Tuesday said it would resume sharing military aid and intelligence with Ukraine after the country’s negotiators said they were open to a 30-day ceasefire. The plan would include a pause on frontline fighting, not just air and sea warfare, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said Tuesday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States would present the ceasefire plan to Russia through multiple diplomatic channels to secure a response as soon as possible. The United States also plans to work on an agreement to develop Ukraine's mineral resources, the State Department said.

The announcement came after leaders from Ukraine and the United States met Tuesday in the Saudi Arabia port city of Jeddah to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war. U.S. and Ukrainian officials met separately Monday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, who hosted the meetings.

What else is included in the ceasefire terms? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Kremlin must release prisoners of war and children forcibly transferred to Russia. The United States said Tuesday that those humanitarian efforts would be part of the peace process, but did not confirm whether they are included in the plan sent to Moscow. 

What’s the latest move in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war? A Ukrainian drone attack hit Russia overnight Tuesday, according to Russian state news agency Tass. The defense ministry said that it took down 337 Ukrainian drones, 91 of which were shot down over Moscow. The drone wave killed at least two people and injured another 18, the health ministry told state media. Ukrainian officials have not commented on the strike. Russia also launched 126 drones and a ballistic missile into Ukraine, the Associated Press reported.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report about the United States pausing intelligence sharing with Ukraine.