Ukraine on Tuesday said it will agree to a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, after a Saudi-hosted meeting between delegations from Kyiv and Washington.
In exchange, the US has agreed to “immediately” restore intelligence sharing, according to a joint statement by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
US President Donald Trump “wants the war to end, and I think today, Ukraine has taken a concrete step in that regard”, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after the meeting. “We hope the Russians will reciprocate.”
Mr Trump welcomed the apparent breakthrough and said he hoped Russia would make a deal. “If we can get Russia to do it, that'll be great. If we can't, we just keep going on and people are going to get killed, lots of people,” he said at the White House.
He added that he would talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin “this week”. “It takes two to tango, so hopefully he'll also agree,” Mr Trump said.
Delegations from the US and Ukraine met in Jeddah, after talks at the White House last month ended disastrously when he and Vice President JD Vance assailed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for appearing “disrespectful” by not saying thank you enough.
“It's a big difference between the last visit you saw in the Oval Office,” Mr Trump said adding that he would invite Mr Zelenskyy back to the White House.
The US last week paused intelligence sharing with Kyiv, after a halt in military aid, moves that appeared to be aimed at forcing the US ally to the negotiating table.
Tuesday's developments come more than three years after Russia invaded Ukraine. Kyiv wants to demonstrate that Mr Zelenskyy is aligned with Mr Trump’s push for a swift end to the conflict. Mr Trump has accused Mr Zelenskyy of not being prepared for peace, with the US administration holding direct talks with Russia.
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said negotiators “got into substantive details on how this war is going to permanently end”, including long-term security guarantees.
“The Ukrainian delegation today made something very clear, that they share President Trump’s vision for peace,” he said.
The Kremlin did not immediately offer a response. Russia has said it is ready to cease hostilities on condition that Ukraine drops its bid to join Nato and recognises regions that Moscow occupies as Russian. Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine's territory.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted images on X that showed officials from Kyiv walking to the meeting, hours after Ukrainian troops launched their largest drone attack on Moscow to date. He also posted photos from the talks.
“We see this meeting as a great opportunity to advance peace and develop the Ukraine-US strategic partnership,” Mr Sybiha said in the post. “The constructive atmosphere proves we can use this opportunity. Ukraine wants peace as no one else.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan represented the kingdom at the talks. The meeting was also attended by Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, who is leading the Ukrainian delegation.
Mr Zelenskyy met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, with the Ukrainian leader thanking the kingdom for its role in peace efforts. They discussed working to achieve a “sustainable, fair and comprehensive” peace in Ukraine, according to a joint statement published by state news agency SPA.
During the meeting in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed expressed Saudi support for international efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine and achieve peace, SPA reported.
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Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
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Man of the match James Maddison (Leicester)
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Sunday:
GP3 race: 12:10pm
Formula 2 race: 1:35pm
Formula 1 race: 5:10pm
Performance: Guns N' Roses
