Zelensky Engages in Crucial Talks with Trump Administration in Saudi Arabia
Ukrainian and U.S. officials meet in Jeddah to discuss peace proposals amid ongoing conflict.
On March 11, 2024, a pivotal meeting is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between representatives of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump.
This meeting aims to establish a pathway for ending the ongoing war in Ukraine and to reaffirm the relationship between Kyiv and Washington following a diplomatic dispute on February 28 in the White House.
The Ukrainian delegation includes Andriy Yermak, Head of the Presidential Administration, along with the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs.
On the U.S. side, the participants are Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Ukraine's delegation is expected to present a ceasefire proposal that encompasses both aerial and maritime operations, which is viewed as a feasible and easily monitored option.
Kyiv hopes to persuade the U.S. administration to reverse the suspension of military aid.
Over recent months, public sentiment in Ukraine has grown increasingly disillusioned with the U.S. stance amid the paused military assistance, with many Ukrainians perceiving Washington's foreign policy alignment as a betrayal.
Nonetheless, President Zelensky emphasized gratitude and readiness for dialogue, expressing hope for practical outcomes from the discussions.
While en route to Saudi Arabia, Secretary Rubio indicated that the U.S. sees territorial concessions from Ukraine as inevitable.
The issue of illegally occupied territories remains a focal point, as any agreement to relinquish areas controlled by Russia could jeopardize Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Saudi Arabia, a long-standing U.S. ally, strengthens its global influence by hosting this meeting.
Following a reception with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Zelensky characterized the upcoming dialogue as “absolutely constructive,” asserting that Saudi Arabia serves as a significant diplomatic platform.
According to the Ukrainian presidency, the talks will also prioritize potential Saudi mediation concerning the release of military and civilian prisoners, as well as the return of deported children.
Additionally, Ukraine seeks security guarantees from its allies.
These high-stakes discussions come as Ukraine faces an increasingly aggressive military posture from Russia.
Recent reports indicate that Russia has achieved significant territorial gains in the Kursk region and made advances in the Sumy region of Ukraine for the first time since 2022. In response, Ukraine's military leadership announced plans to bolster its forces in the Kursk region.
Concurrently, a large-scale drone attack by Ukrainian forces targeted Moscow, as reported by various Russian officials.
Moscow's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, reported that the Russian Defense Ministry thwarted a major drone assault, asserting the downing of 337 Ukrainian drones, including 91 in the Moscow area.
Local authorities in the Moscow region confirmed one death and three injuries resulting from the strikes, prompting temporary restrictions on air traffic at international airports, including Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky, and Sheremetyevo, as announced by Rosaviatsia, the federal aviation agency of Russia.
This meeting aims to establish a pathway for ending the ongoing war in Ukraine and to reaffirm the relationship between Kyiv and Washington following a diplomatic dispute on February 28 in the White House.
The Ukrainian delegation includes Andriy Yermak, Head of the Presidential Administration, along with the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs.
On the U.S. side, the participants are Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Ukraine's delegation is expected to present a ceasefire proposal that encompasses both aerial and maritime operations, which is viewed as a feasible and easily monitored option.
Kyiv hopes to persuade the U.S. administration to reverse the suspension of military aid.
Over recent months, public sentiment in Ukraine has grown increasingly disillusioned with the U.S. stance amid the paused military assistance, with many Ukrainians perceiving Washington's foreign policy alignment as a betrayal.
Nonetheless, President Zelensky emphasized gratitude and readiness for dialogue, expressing hope for practical outcomes from the discussions.
While en route to Saudi Arabia, Secretary Rubio indicated that the U.S. sees territorial concessions from Ukraine as inevitable.
The issue of illegally occupied territories remains a focal point, as any agreement to relinquish areas controlled by Russia could jeopardize Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Saudi Arabia, a long-standing U.S. ally, strengthens its global influence by hosting this meeting.
Following a reception with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Zelensky characterized the upcoming dialogue as “absolutely constructive,” asserting that Saudi Arabia serves as a significant diplomatic platform.
According to the Ukrainian presidency, the talks will also prioritize potential Saudi mediation concerning the release of military and civilian prisoners, as well as the return of deported children.
Additionally, Ukraine seeks security guarantees from its allies.
These high-stakes discussions come as Ukraine faces an increasingly aggressive military posture from Russia.
Recent reports indicate that Russia has achieved significant territorial gains in the Kursk region and made advances in the Sumy region of Ukraine for the first time since 2022. In response, Ukraine's military leadership announced plans to bolster its forces in the Kursk region.
Concurrently, a large-scale drone attack by Ukrainian forces targeted Moscow, as reported by various Russian officials.
Moscow's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, reported that the Russian Defense Ministry thwarted a major drone assault, asserting the downing of 337 Ukrainian drones, including 91 in the Moscow area.
Local authorities in the Moscow region confirmed one death and three injuries resulting from the strikes, prompting temporary restrictions on air traffic at international airports, including Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky, and Sheremetyevo, as announced by Rosaviatsia, the federal aviation agency of Russia.
