State Department: Ukraine, Russia 'just a breath away from a full ceasefire'

A State Department spokesperson said Thursday that Ukraine and Russia are “just a breath away from a full ceasefire” after three years of war.

“We are just a breath away from a full ceasefire, and then we can begin to talk about not just peace for a week or six months, but an enduring peace that the people of Ukraine and Russia and the world can rely on, and that is what America has helped facilitate, and that's what we're continuing to do each day,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told anchor Nichole Berlie on “NewsNation Now."

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky backed a push from President Trump for a limited ceasefire with Russia.

“One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it,” Zelensky said on the social platform X.

“We believe that such steps are necessary to create the possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement to be prepared during the ceasefire.”

The U.S. had previously proposed that the Ukrainians and Russians pause energy facility and infrastructure attacks as a first step in the direction of a large peace deal. President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked Tuesday on the phone for a few hours, and Zelensky and Trump talked Wednesday.

Since the president's return to office in January, the Trump administration has set out on a mission to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which passed its three-year mark last month.

“We have never been closer to peace with these two parties,” Bruce said.

Topics

Ukraine supports 30-day ceasefire as Russia says it will consider offer

The latest talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine have brought a commitment from Ukraine's president to support a 30-day ceasefire. In return, the U.S. will restore military and intelligence support ...
CBS News - Mar. 12
Rubio: Ball in Russia’s court after Ukraine backs ceasefire proposal

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it is dependent on Russia to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine for immediate negotiations toward an end of the war to begin. Rubio made his remarks ...
The Hill - Mar. 11
Witkoff on Ukraine talks: 'Relatively short distance to a full ceasefire'

President Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, contends there's a "relatively short distance" to go before a full Russia-Ukraine ceasefire is reached. “I think the devil’s in the details, ...
The Hill - 1d
Russia, Ukraine exchange attacks after Putin meeting with US on ceasefire deal

Russia and Ukraine traded attacks over the weekend, just shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. officials about a ceasefire deal. Both sides reported more than 100 enemy ...
The Hill - 5d
Ukraine's position on a potential 30-day ceasefire deal with Russia

Ukraine appears ready for a temporary ceasefire with Russia after losing access to U.S. aid and intelligence for its war. Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the defense and security department at ...
CBS News - Mar. 11
Unclear if Russia will agree to ceasefire terms with Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says a ceasefire deal will be presented to Russia after Ukraine said it is ready to accept a 30-day pause in fighting. CBS News senior foreign correspondent ...
CBS News - Mar. 12
What's next after Ukraine agrees to U.S. proposal for ceasefire with Russia

The pressure to end Russia's war on Ukraine now shifts to Moscow, after the U.S. and a Ukrainian delegation agreed to a proposed ceasefire deal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the ...
CBS News - Mar. 11
Ukraine agrees to US-led ceasefire; Russia yet to weigh in

U.S. officials announced that Ukraine is ready to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. In return, the United States agreed to resume sending military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. The Kremlin ...
NBC News - Mar. 12
Millie Bobby Brown unveiled her full real name. Hint: It sounds really, really similar

Millie Bobby Brown tells her 'Electric State' co-star Chris Pratt in an interview that she moved away from her full birth name just for fun. 'I've never told anyone that,' she says.
Los Angeles Times - Mar. 7