Ukraine agrees to 30-day ceasefire during talks with the USA in Saudi

Negotiators also agreed to appoint teams to begin talks aimed at reaching a lasting peace

- AGENCIES

Ukraine signalled its readiness to accept an American proposal for an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire" following talks with an American delegation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to a joint statement.

The statement, issued after hours of consultations between senior officials from the two countries, said the truce could be extended by mutual agreement, adding that "the United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace."

Washington has agreed to "immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine," the statement said, adding that both sides discussed the importance of humanitarian relief efforts, particularly during the ceasefire period, Xinhua news agency reported.