Zelenskyy Travels to Saudi Arabia Ahead of High-Stakes US-Ukraine Talks
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh ahead of U.S.-Ukraine negotiations in Jeddah aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy will not attend the talks, which will be led by key Ukrainian officials. The U.S. is under pressure to facilitate a ceasefire, although Russia has ramped up military actions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Riyadh on March 10 for a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit precedes critical discussions in Jeddah on March 11 between Ukrainian and American delegations, which aim to address the ongoing conflict caused by Russia’s incursion into Ukraine.
The United States, a significant military supporter of Ukraine, is pursuing a resolution to the conflict through direct dialogue with Moscow while pausing military assistance and intelligence collaboration with Ukraine. The forthcoming talks represent the first formal engagement since a contentious meeting in the Oval Office on February 28, during which President Zelenskyy faced criticism from U.S. officials.
Zelenskyy has opted not to participate in the negotiations in Jeddah, delegating representation to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. They will engage with a U.S. team that may include Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, with Rubio having arrived in Saudi Arabia on the night of March 9.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy expressed a commitment to productive dialogue, stating, “On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps… The key is to move quickly and effectively.” Kyiv is likely to propose a peace initiative urging an air and sea ceasefire as an initial measure.
Zelenskyy faces mounting pressure from the U.S. to secure a prompt ceasefire with Russia, while Moscow shows little inclination towards halting hostilities. Despite the absence of a guaranteed U.S. security commitment, Russia has intensified its military operations and claimed territorial advancements.
In comments made on March 9, Trump implied that Ukraine might not endure the conflict against Russia, stating, “Well, it may not survive anyway.” He criticized Zelenskyy for perceived ingratitude towards U.S. assistance but acknowledged his intelligence and resilience. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the recapture of several territories, suggesting significant developments in the region.
In summary, President Zelenskyy’s upcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia, aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict with Russia, highlight the complexity of international diplomacy involved. The impending U.S.-Ukrainian talks come amid pressures for peace negotiations and strategic military reassessments from both sides. The backdrop of heightened Russian military activities adds to the urgency for effective resolutions in this geopolitical crisis.
Original Source: www.rferl.org
