The US is set to assess Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate peace with Russia at talks in Saudi Arabia, following President Zelensky’s contentious visit to the White House. US officials aim to evaluate potential Ukrainian concessions and improve ties with the Trump administration. Secretary of State Rubio will lead the US delegation, which includes National Security Adviser Waltz and Trump’s Middle East envoy Witkoff.
The United States is preparing to host crucial discussions in Saudi Arabia with Ukrainian officials regarding Ukraine’s position on peace negotiations following a contentious meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Biden administration. This meeting marks the first interaction since Zelensky’s visit to the White House on February 28, which resulted in significant disagreements.
US officials are keen to gauge whether Ukraine will be willing to offer any concessions to Russia in pursuit of ending the ongoing conflict. Additionally, they aim to ascertain Ukraine’s commitment to enhancing its relationship with the Trump administration in light of the previous tensions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the delegation to Jeddah, accompanied by key figures such as National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Ukrainian discussions will be spearheaded by Andriy Yermak, a senior aide to President Zelensky.
A US official remarked, “You can’t say ‘I want peace,’ and, ‘I refuse to compromise on anything,’” reflecting the serious nature of the discussions aimed at assessing the viability of Ukraine’s peace approach.
The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia represent a pivotal moment for US-Ukrainian relations as they seek to address ongoing tensions and assess Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate with Russia. The engagement will be critical in determining the potential for future peace initiatives and improving diplomatic ties. Secretary Rubio’s leadership in these discussions underscores the significance of this dialogue in the context of international relations and conflict resolution.
Original Source: www.scmp.com