Ukraine has accepted the US proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire and to take measures to restore lasting peace after Russia's invasion.

The US and Ukrainian delegations meeting in Jeddah reported this in a joint statement. Kiev and Washington, it reads, "have taken important steps toward restoring lasting peace."

The thaw operation has begun after the sensational clash in the Oval Office. The US "will immediately revoke the suspension of intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine" .

Both delegations also agreed to " immediately begin negotiations for a lasting peace that will ensure the long-term security of Ukraine."

The agreement on minerals and rare earths has also been unblocked , with the two countries agreeing to conclude "as soon as possible".

Now we await Moscow's response. And it is US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who is urging it: "The ball for the truce in Ukraine is now in Russia's court," he said, stressing that Kiev is ready for "immediate negotiations" with Russia. "We hope that Putin agrees," said Donald Trump, who reported that US officials will meet with their Russian counterparts tomorrow at the latest. The US president also announced that he will invite Zelensky to the White House again.

Ukraine, for its part, reiterated the importance of the EU's presence in the negotiations. And Zelensky said that now the US must "convince" Russia to accept the truce . "We are ready for peace," he said, "now the US understands our arguments."

(Unioneonline/L)