Kyiv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is traveling to Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ahead of discussions between Ukrainian and U.S. officials on terminating the fight with Russia.
The United States under the Trump presidency has upended its wartime approaches in its stated pursuit of a rapid end to the war, committing directly with Russia while cutting off military aid and intelligence sharing for Kyiv.
Ukrainian President is expected to meet the Saudi crown prince. Saudi government has played various mediating positions since Russia’s 2022 invasion, including facilitating prisoner exchanges and hosting discussions between Russia and the United States last month.
What topics will be discussed in the US-Ukraine talks?
As reported, talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials are expected to center on a bilateral minerals deal and how to end the war.
Zelenskiy has said he will not attend discussions with U.S. officials and that the Ukrainian delegation will include his chief of staff, his foreign and defence ministers and a highest military official in the presidential government.
What does the US expect from Ukraine in the talks?
“On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps,”
Zelenskiy stated.
“Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively.”
According to Reuters, U.S. officials said they were preparing to use the discussion with the Ukrainians in part to decide whether Kyiv is ready to make material concessions to Russia to end the war.
“You can’t say ‘I want peace,’ and, ‘I refuse to compromise on anything’,”
A senior official said of upcoming talks.
According to a second U.S. official:
“We want to see if the Ukrainians are interested not just in peace, but in a realistic peace.”
Trump special representative Steve Witkoff, who has been negotiating the talks, has expressed the idea is to
“get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well”.
