The U.S. believes Ukraine is ready to negotiate a ceasefire with Russia, and Secretary of State Rubio, along with National Security Adviser Waltz, will engage in talks in Saudi Arabia. President Trump is urging Zelensky to concede but without immediate security guarantees. A stalled minerals deal and lifting military support are also issues on the table as relations are repaired following a recent disagreement.
The Trump administration asserts that Ukraine is prepared to advance on the United States’ demand for a ceasefire with Russia, as stated by a senior official at the U.S. State Department. This declaration coincides with an upcoming visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to Saudi Arabia, where discussions with Ukrainian officials are scheduled to occur.
President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to achieve a swift ceasefire with Moscow, albeit without offering any immediate U.S. security guarantees. This follows a public confrontation between the two leaders at the White House, where Trump suggested that Zelensky was reluctant to cease hostilities. Currently, Russian President Vladimir Putin occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory since the full-scale invasion commenced in February 2022.
The senior state department official remarked, “The fact that they’re coming here at senior levels is a good indication to us that they want to sit down and they’re ready to move forward,” while remaining anonymous to protect the sensitivity of the discussions. Although Zelensky is expected to visit Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he will not engage formally with the U.S. representatives.
Ukraine’s delegation will include key officials such as Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky’s office, along with the national security adviser and the foreign and defense ministers. In a video address, Zelensky expressed hope for tangible outcomes concerning peace and continued support from allies.
Zelensky faces considerable U.S. pressure to yield concessions preceding any peace negotiations while simultaneously advocating for firm security guarantees from Kyiv. Previously violated ceasefire agreements by Putin remain a significant concern. Meanwhile, the specifics of U.S. pressures on Moscow regarding concessions have not been publicly articulated.
Following the disagreement at the White House, Zelensky expressed regret and sought to mend relations with the U.S., its principal military supporter. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, reported that Zelensky submitted a letter containing an apology and gratitude. The U.S. intends to explore a potential framework for peace regarding the Ukraine conflict in its meetings in Saudi Arabia, alongside discussions of a stalled minerals deal prior to the diplomatic row.
Ukraine has proposed granting the U.S. access to its rare earth mineral reserves in exchange for security assurances. The White House confrontation also resulted in a suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. When questioned about lifting the intelligence pause, Trump noted, “We just about have. I mean, we really just about have and we want to do anything we can to get Ukraine to be serious about getting something done,” without providing further specifics.
In summary, the U.S. government has indicated that Ukraine is ready to engage in negotiations for a ceasefire with Russia, as emphasized by a senior State Department official. The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Ukrainian officials aim to develop a framework for peace and address a significant minerals deal. While President Trump continues to exert pressure on Zelensky to concede before formal discussions, the implications of prior U.S. actions reflect a complex diplomatic landscape. The outcome of these interactions may determine future stability and security in the region.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
