(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has declared that Kiev received widespread praise from its Western allies following recent negotiations with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia. He suggested that the diplomatic success puts Russia in a challenging position.

Speaking on Saturday, Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian delegation’s agreement to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire during the Jeddah talks was seen as a major achievement. “Everyone congratulated Ukraine on a real victory in Jeddah, the victory of diplomacy,” he claimed, though he did not specify who had expressed support.

At the time of the negotiations, Ukraine was struggling against a sustained Russian offensive along the front lines. In Russia’s Kursk Region, Ukrainian forces suffered a major setback, losing control of significant territory, including the strategically important town of Sudzha. According to Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov, most Ukrainian troops in the area are now either “isolated” or “encircled.”

In response to the situation, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Russia to spare the lives of the “thousands” of trapped Ukrainian soldiers. Russian President Vladimir Putin later stated that those who surrender would receive humane treatment in accordance with international and Russian law.

Despite reports of Ukrainian troops being surrounded, Kiev’s military command dismissed the claims as Russian “manipulation.” Zelensky also denied any encirclement in the Kursk Region while insisting that Russia accept the ceasefire “unconditionally.”

Putin welcomed the ceasefire proposal, calling it a “right idea” that Moscow supports in principle. However, he emphasized the need to address key concerns, including the status of Ukrainian troops in Kursk and mechanisms for monitoring the truce, before finalizing any agreement.

Meanwhile, France and the UK have also urged Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sharply rejected their demands, stating that the UK can “stick such ideas back where they came from.”

MENAFN18032025000045015687ID1109325980