Zelensky Accepts U.S. Proposal for 30-Day Ceasefire, Trump to Speak with Putin /  Syria Moves Toward Federalism Under the Guise of Decentralisation in East Euphrates and Sweida Agreements

 March 12, 2025

The political editor wrote

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has yielded to the will of U.S. President Donald Trump following the fall from grace he endured two weeks ago, which culminated in his public dismissal from the White House. After agreeing to the metals deal Trump demanded and declaring his readiness to work under Trump’s leadership, Zelensky announced in Jeddah, following U.S.-Ukrainian negotiations,Ukraine’s acceptance of a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. The agreement includes a prisoner exchange between both sides and the launch of negotiations to reach a final settlement addressing the core issues of the conflict and ensuring an end to the war. Following Ukraine’s announcement, Trump stated that he would inform Russian President Vladimir Putin of the development, expressing confidence in reaching an understanding with him.

In Syria, rapid developments within 24 hours have clarified the country’s trajectory toward federalism, albeit under the softened term “decentralisation”. This shift signals the defeat of the faction led by the new head of state, Ahmad Shar’a, in the aftermath of the coastal massacres. Shar’a had repeatedly asserted his commitment to Syria’s unity by reestablishing full military control over its national territory. However, it has now become clear that the agreements he signed with the Syrian Democratic Forces and the proposals he presented to leaders and notable figures from Sweida acknowledge the preservation of independent military and security structures in eastern and southern Syria. These agreements limit Damascus’ authority to raising the Ministry of Defense flag over these regions. Meanwhile, last night, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the Israeli military would assume direct military oversight over Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida – an area totaling 10,480 square kilometers. Some observers interpret this as a message concerning the security arrangements and those who will govern them in Sweida, following reports of an imminent agreement between Damascus and Sweida.

In Lebanon, five prisoners held by the Israeli military regained their freedom as a result of the ceasefire monitoring committee’s deliberations, more than 100 days after the ceasefire agreement was reached. Notably, American and Israeli statements framed the prisoner release as part of a broader agreement to initiate negotiations linking the fate of occupied areas inside the Blue Line – which Israel withdrew from in 2000 and is required to evacuate under Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement – to the fate of areas beyond the Blue Line. Lebanon considers these areas part of its internationally recognised borders since 2000, and both Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement stipulate that disputes over them should be resolved only after Israel withdraws behind the Blue Line. This development effectively extends Israel’s occupation of the five contested hills inside the Blue Line until an agreement is reached that guarantees security for the Israeli military, as stated by the office of the Israeli prime minister – a familiar Israeli pretext for demanding a peace agreement and normalisation.