For Moscow, this is the moment of truth - a moment that may require uncomfortable compromises if it is truly ready for peace, observers commented after the meeting in Jeddah.
After Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire proposed by the US, all eyes are now on Moscow. Russia must give up some of its claims for the deal to take effect, observers commented.
For Moscow, this is the moment of truth - a moment that may require uncomfortable compromises if it is truly ready for peace, commented Matthew Chance from CNN. Just days ago, Trump commented that the Russians hold "all the cards". Now, intentionally or not, Trump may call Putin's bluff, the journalist comments.
The Ukrainian delegation has fulfilled its mission
After the meeting in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian delegation has fulfilled its mission, Alyona Hetmanchuk, director of the New Europe think tank, told ARD. Other analysts, however, are skeptical about what was achieved in Jeddah.
Former diplomat Volodymyr Ogryzko, for example, warns that this is just the beginning of a long process. "I wouldn't dare say it's a victory for one side or the other", he commented.
One of the great successes of the US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia is the resumption of military and intelligence assistance to Kiev from Washington, believes journalist Vitaly Portnikov, quoted by ARD.
Optimism despite ongoing attacks
Almost no one in Ukraine believes that the war will end quickly. The reason is that distrust of Russia is enormous. Even when news of the potential ceasefire reached the country, Russia continued to attack Ukraine with drones and missiles. That evening, there were also reports of casualties in Odessa.
Despite everything, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a positive assessment of the results of the talks in Jeddah. The next step is for the US to convince Russia to agree to the ceasefire proposal. "We agree, and as soon as the Russians also approve, the ceasefire will come into force", Zelensky wrote on his X profile.
The decision is in Russia's hands
Initially, Ukraine wanted to achieve a temporary ceasefire that would include a ceasefire only by air. Now Kiev has agreed to the ceasefire covering the entire front. The question now is whether Russia wants to demonstrate that peace is possible. According to diplomat Ogryzko, this is a good time for Washington to return to Ukraine's side. "We gave the Americans the opportunity to test how much Russia wants peace," he says.
A representative of the US administration will travel to Moscow to present the proposal. Without Russian approval, ceasefire negotiations cannot begin. The first reaction from Moscow came from Russian politician Konstantin Kosachev, who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the upper house of the Russian parliament. He wrote on Telegram that the proposed conditions are "American, not Ukrainian" and warned that negotiations are being held at the front. Our conditions of Moscow, not the US, are important, Kosachev also wrote. There has been no official comment from the Kremlin yet.
Does Putin want a ceasefire?
John Herbst, a former US ambassador to Ukraine who currently works at the Atlantic Council, commented to the American public television PBS that he does not believe Putin will agree to the ceasefire. According to the former diplomat, Putin wants to conquer more territories and there is no way he can do that if he accepts the ceasefire. The question is whether he will want to confront Trump, Herbst says. And if he does - how will the American head of state react. After the meeting in Jeddah, Trump said he would speak with Putin as soon as possible.
A few days ago, Donald Trump threatened Russia with new sanctions, but by the end of the day, in another statement, he again expressed his sympathy for Putin. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced after yesterday's meeting that the United States would impose sanctions on Moscow if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire.