On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump cautioned that Russia might face financial consequences if it does not honour a 30-day ceasefire negotiated between Kyiv and Washington in Saudi Arabia. He emphasised that the burden is now on Moscow to comply. Meanwhile, U.S. officials plan to visit Russia to discuss the agreement and explore possible steps toward broader peace negotiations.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he was hopeful that Moscow might agree to the ceasefire deal. He confirmed that "we have people currently heading to Russia" to present the truce agreement to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump also cautioned that Russia could face harsh economic outcomes if it continues its military actions in Ukraine. "There are measures that could have a very negative financial impact," he stated. "It would be disastrous for Russia. However, I don’t want that outcome because my goal is to achieve peace".

Ukraine has already agreed to the ceasefire proposal backed by the U.S., but Russia has not yet committed to it. The Kremlin said it is still reviewing the plan and is waiting for more details from American officials before making a decision. The proposal calls for an immediate stop to all fighting on land, at sea, and in the air. When asked about Russia’s position, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov gave a cautious reply, saying that further discussions with U.S. representatives are needed before Moscow can take a stance.

The proposed ceasefire comes at a time of tension between the U.S. and Ukraine, following a heated argument between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. As a result of the dispute, Trump briefly paused military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv. However, during diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, U.S. support resumed after Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire proposal. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the war has led to massive destruction and the loss of tens of thousands of lives. If Moscow accepts the ceasefire, it could be a significant step toward ending the ongoing conflict.