New Delhi, March 12 -- In a significant turnaround in US-Ukraine relations, Kyiv said it was ready to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia. Now, "the ball is in Russia's court," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The development came after high-stakes talks in Saudi Arabia.

"Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation," read a joint statement by Ukraine and the US.

Around a week ago, US President Donald Trump directed a "pause" to US assistance to Ukraine as he sought to pressure Ukrainian President Volod...