U.S. officials will meet with Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia to evaluate Ukraine’s willingness for concessions in the ongoing conflict with Russia and assess ties with the Trump administration. Discussions will focus on the path to achieving realistic peace, amid concerns regarding military progress and regional security dynamics.
The upcoming meeting between U.S. officials and a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia aims to evaluate Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions to Russia to facilitate an end to the ongoing conflict. According to two U.S. officials, the delegation will also seek to understand Ukraine’s intentions to strengthen relations with the Trump administration after a recent contentious exchange between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to participate in the talks, which will include key figures such as National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The officials will assess whether the Ukrainians are genuinely pursuing a pragmatic peace, contrasting with their stated aspirations for restoring borders as per pre-2014 or 2022 conditions.
President Trump expressed optimism regarding the talks, anticipating significant progress. In parallel, President Zelenskiy announced his trip to Saudi Arabia, emphasizing his commitment to advancing peace negotiations and securing ongoing support for Ukraine amid the conflict.
Ukraine’s allies believe any agreement with Russia should stem from a position of strength, cautioning against hasty negotiations with an aggressor. Zelenskiy reiterated that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not seek peace and warned of further aggression against European nations if a decisive defeat is not inflicted on Russia.
Recent statements from Trump indicate frustration with Ukraine’s resource and manpower constraints, urging a swift negotiation process with Russia. His administration has reportedly curtailed weapon shipments and intelligence sharing, citing a lack of sufficient openness from Ukraine towards a peace process.
The National Security Council spokesperson highlighted Zelenskiy’s progress in restoring U.S.-Ukraine relations following their earlier discord, expressing hope that forthcoming meetings would yield positive results for peace. Discussions in Jeddah may also revisit a minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine, which requires a security guarantee from the U.S. in exchange for access to Ukrainian mineral resources.
Despite indications of a renewed willingness to sign the minerals deal after prior tensions, completion remains pending. Trump has stated that he expects Ukraine to sign the agreement, provided demonstrable intent for peace is shown by Zelenskiy’s administration.
The forthcoming U.S.-Ukraine meeting in Saudi Arabia seeks to assess Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate peace with Russia and improve ties with the Trump administration. The discussions will focus on Ukraine’s strategic stance while considering the regional security dynamics. Both sides express hope for advancements towards peace, although challenges remain amidst the current military and diplomatic landscape.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
