While there is still a long way to go before a lasting peace can be achieved, the agreement reached between the United States and Ukraine on Tuesday (March 11) on a temporary ceasefire in the war with Russia represents a significant step in that direction.
The US suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine a week ago following a tense meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump at the White House.
The fact that US and Ukrainian diplomats have been able to improve relations and chart a path forward, despite Trump’s impassioned rhetoric and his willingness to relentlessly criticize the other side, is another example of how he remains open to further talks.
Indeed, his tough and pushy nature is often an integral part of his negotiating style.
However, a plan that involves public threats and compromises can be risky, as evidenced by the recent negative impact on more than 60% of Americans who have invested in the stock market.
Major stock indexes continued to fall on Tuesday after Trump escalated his war of words and tariffs with Canada, America’s northern neighbor and largest trading partner.
In a furious tweet on his Truth Social account, Trump announced that he would double upcoming tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum in response to Canada’s plan to impose a surcharge on electricity for North American states.
He reiterated that Canada becoming a U.S. state “is the only thing that makes sense.”
That aggressive approach paid off within hours. Ontario Premier Doug Ford withdrew the planned energy surcharge, and Trump later stated that he would not double the 25% tariff that was set to take effect on Wednesday.
However, the ongoing trade dispaute has wiped trillions of dollars off U.S. stock markets. More tariffs are expected to be imposed on Canada and other U.S. trading partners next month.
Meanwhile, there has been no sign of a mineral rights agreement that would give the United States a share of future Ukrainian mining revenues if Russia does its part, even if Ukraine accepts a limited ceasefire.
Trump has made it clear how necessary this agreement is and that it could be a hindrance in the future.
There has been no indication whether Russia will accept the 30-day ceasefire proposal. It is also unclear what the Trump administration expects to do to secure a ‘yes’ from Vladimir Putin.
Will the same negotiation tactics work? Or will Trump have to find another tool in his negotiating kit?
However, Trump’s promise, repeated throughout last year’s presidential campaign, that he could end the war in three years, is showing clear progress.
He has chosen a risky path that, if successful, could bring peace and prosperity. However, the consequences of failure will be measured in lives lost.
Ukraine Says It Is Ready to Accept Ceasefire
Ukraine has said it is ready to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire with Russia, proposed by the United States, following US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the proposal would be presented to Russia and that “the ball is in their court”. However, the Russian government has yet to comment publicly on the matter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that it was now up to the United States to convince Russia to agree to the “positive” proposal.
The talks in Jeddah on Tuesday (March 11) were the first official meeting between the two countries since an unusual confrontation between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on February 28.
The US also announced in a joint statement that it would immediately resume intelligence sharing with Ukraine and military assistance, which had been suspended following the unprecedented row at the White House.
