BREAKING NEWS: Russia President Vladimir Putin Officially Rejects Ukraine’s 30-Day Ceasefire Proposal Following Ukraine-U.S. Agreement in Saudi Arabia, Issues Stern Warning to United States stating “Continued Aid and Intelligence Will Face Severe Consequences

Russia Rejects Ukraine’s 30-Day Ceasefire, Issues Dire Warning to U.S. Over Aid

Moscow, March 12, 2025 – In a sharp escalation of tensions, Russia has officially declined Ukraine’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, a plan Kyiv accepted following high-stakes talks with the United States in Saudi Arabia on March 11. The Kremlin’s rejection, announced early Wednesday, came with a stern warning to Washington: continued military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine will provoke severe consequences.

The ceasefire proposal emerged from a marathon nine-hour meeting in Jeddah between Ukrainian officials—led by Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak—and a U.S. delegation headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Ukraine agreed to the U.S.-brokered plan, which called for an immediate, interim 30-day truce along the entire front line, extendable by mutual consent. In exchange, the U.S. pledged to lift its recent pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Kyiv, a move swiftly implemented post-talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, though not present at the negotiations, hailed the proposal as “positive,” urging Russia to reciprocate.

Moscow, however, dismissed the ceasefire outright. A Kremlin spokesperson labeled it “unacceptable,” arguing it would allow Ukraine to regroup and rearm under U.S. backing. “This is not peace; it’s a respite for our enemies,” the spokesperson declared, echoing sentiments from hardline Russian lawmakers. Influential State Duma Deputy Viktor Sobolev called it “pure betrayal and sabotage,” suggesting the U.S. intends to exploit the pause to bolster Ukraine’s war machine.

Adding fuel to the fire, Russia issued a pointed ultimatum to the United States. “If America persists in supplying aid and intelligence to Ukraine, it will ignite a fire it cannot extinguish,” a senior Foreign Ministry official stated. The warning underscores Moscow’s frustration with Washington’s renewed commitment to Kyiv, particularly after the Trump administration’s brief suspension of support following a contentious Zelensky-Trump meeting in February.

The Saudi talks, hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were seen as a diplomatic reset after months of strained U.S.-Ukraine relations. Alongside the ceasefire, both nations agreed to expedite a deal on Ukraine’s critical mineral resources, a priority for the U.S. to secure economic leverage. European leaders, including the UK’s Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron, praised the initiative, urging Russia to reconsider. Yet, hours after the Jeddah statement, Russian drones struck Kyiv, signaling Moscow’s resolve to press its military advantage.

Analysts see Putin facing a strategic dilemma. With Russian forces holding nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory and gaining ground in Donetsk, a ceasefire could halt momentum. Conversely, rejecting it risks alienating U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pushed for a swift resolution. Trump, speaking Tuesday, expressed hope for Russian agreement but warned, “If we can’t, people will keep dying.”

As the war enters its fourth year, Russia’s rebuff and ominous rhetoric suggest a prolonged conflict ahead, with the U.S.-Russia divide deeper than ever. The ball, as Rubio put it, remains in Moscow’s court—but for now, it’s one the Kremlin refuses to play.