US 'cautiously optimistic' about ceasefire progress after meeting with Putin
The Trump administration expressed "cautiously optimistic" about ongoing ceasefire talks, following a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Special envoy Witkoff is expected to return to the United States later this week, after which President Donald Trump will assess Russia's position and determine next steps, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 14.
"We have reason to be cautiously optimistic, but at the same time, we recognize that this is a difficult and complex situation," Rubio said. "It's not going to be easy. It's not going to be simple. But we certainly feel that we've at least taken some steps toward ending this war and bringing peace."
Kiev agreed to a temporary ceasefire proposed by Washington during talks in Jeddah on March 11, provided Russia complied. The talks in Saudi Arabia also led to the resumption of crucial US military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine.
“Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace; Ukraine is a partner in restoring peace,” said Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who participated in the negotiations. He stressed that Ukraine’s acceptance of the proposed ceasefire showed “who is really interested in peace.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on March 13 that Moscow was ready to accept a ceasefire but demanded that Ukraine stop mobilizing troops, conducting military training and receiving foreign military aid while the agreement was in effect.
Mr Trump called Mr Putin's remarks "very promising" but "incomplete", and said he was ready to meet the Russian leader.
Mr. Rubio emphasized that American foreign policy is based on action, not trust. Asked if he believed Mr. Putin's commitment, Rubio dismissed the question, saying: "It's not a matter of trust, it's a matter of action. You either do it or you don't do it. That's how foreign policy works and that's how we make decisions."
While the White House acknowledged progress, officials acknowledged the challenge of securing a ceasefire that met the conditions of the United States and Ukraine. The administration is expected to have further internal discussions later this week, after Witkoff briefs Trump on the talks in Moscow.
“It’s been a pretty good week on that front, but there’s still a lot of work to do,” Rubio said. “We’ll have more information when Special Envoy Witkoff returns and we all have a chance to sit down and discuss it.”
