U.S. officials are meeting with a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia to evaluate Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions to Russia for peace. Secretary of State Rubio will lead the discussions, focusing on improving U.S.-Ukraine relations and exploring a ceasefire framework. The fate of a minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine is also in play, as military tensions continue to rise in the region.
U.S. officials are preparing for a significant meeting with a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for Tuesday. The meeting aims to assess Ukraine’s willingness to make substantial concessions to Russia in order to achieve peace in the ongoing conflict. Additionally, U.S. representatives intend to gauge Ukraine’s interest in fostering improved relations with the Trump administration following a previous contentious encounter between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the U.S. delegation to the meeting in Jeddah, accompanied by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The Ukrainian delegation will be headed by Andriy Yermak, a senior aide to President Zelenskyy. One U.S. official emphasized the necessity for Ukraine to demonstrate a commitment to making realistic peace efforts, noting that a genuine desire for peace must include some willingness to compromise.
European allies of Ukraine maintain that the country should enter negotiations from a position of strength, and caution against hasty agreements with an aggressor like Russia. President Zelenskyy has expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, asserting that if Russia does not face significant defeat, it will pursue further aggression in Europe.
In an earlier meeting, U.S. officials had discussions with Russian leaders in Riyadh to rebuild relations which had cooled under the Biden administration. President Trump has criticized Ukraine, arguing that they are depleting their resources and must engage in dialogue with Russia promptly. Critics of Trump’s stance argue that his policies may inadvertently prolong the conflict, giving Russia an advantage.
Recent military assessments indicate that Russian forces are making incremental advances in eastern Ukraine, whilst some Ukrainian troops face encirclement. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes noted progress in U.S.-Ukraine relations since Zelenskyy’s previous meeting with Trump. He reiterated hopes for constructive discussions during the upcoming Saudi meeting, aimed at concluding the conflict.
Witkoff has indicated that the talks will also focus on establishing a framework for a ceasefire and a potential peace agreement. Moreover, a crucial minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, pending since Zelenskyy’s last White House visit, remains unresolved, yet both parties have shown interest in finalizing it. However, official comments from the State Department and the Ukrainian embassy remain unavailable at this time.
In summary, the impending meeting between U.S. officials and a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia aims to assess Ukraine’s readiness to compromise for peace with Russia. U.S. officials will also monitor the state of U.S.-Ukraine relations following previous tensions with President Trump. Furthermore, the discussions will explore a potential ceasefire framework, amidst ongoing military developments and the unresolved minerals deal. Overall, the outcome of this meeting may significantly impact the trajectory of the conflict in Ukraine.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
