Ukraine has given its strongest signal yet it is ready for a ceasefire – putting the onus on Russia to also agree to lay down their arms. In a joint statement, the nations said: “Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation.

“The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace.” Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the temporary ceasefire deal would cover the frontline as well as the air and sea. He wrote on Telegram: “The American side understands our arguments, accepts our proposals, and I want to thank president Trump for the constructiveness of the conversation between our teams.”

He added: “We consider it positive and we are ready to take this step. Ukraine is ready for peace. [Russia] must show whether it is ready to stop the war or continue it. The time has come for the full truth.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “the ball is now in Russia‘s court”, speaking in Jeddah after the peace talks.

He echoed the Ukrainian president, calling it a “positive step” in the direction of longer lasting peace, expressing his hope that Moscow will also agree.

Mr Rubio added that his delegation was ” going to take the offer” to Russia. He added: “We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table, Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking, and now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no.

“I hope they’re going to say yes, and if they do then I think we made great progress.”

He continued: “Every day that goes by, people are bombed, people are hurt on both sides of this conflict. The president wanted this war to end yesterday and the day before.

“This is serious stuff, this is not Mean Girls, this is not some episode of some television show … The number one goodwill gesture we could see from the Russians is to see the Ukrainian offer and reciprocate it with a yes.”

National security adviser Mike Waltz said it’s “very clear” Ukraine shares Donald Trump‘s “determination to end the fighting”.