U.S. to Evaluate Ukraine’s Willingness for Peace Concessions in Saudi Arabia Meeting
U.S. officials plan to meet with a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia to assess Ukraine’s willingness for concessions to Russia for peace. Secretary of State Marco Rubio leads the U.S. team, seeking indicators of Ukraine’s commitment to improving relations post recent tensions with Trump. Key issues include realistic peace terms and a pending minerals deal.
United States officials are set to engage with a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia to evaluate Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions to Russia for peace. This meeting follows a recently contentious exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, during which U.S. officials will seek to discern Ukraine’s intent to improve diplomatic relations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will represent the United States alongside National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
U.S. officials emphasize the importance of assessing Ukraine’s positions, questioning whether it is genuinely pursuing a realistic peace or maintaining a hardline on borders from 2014 or 2022. Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding the talks, stating that significant progress could be made. Zelenskiy indicated his commitment to these discussions, stressing the dual focus on advancing peace and securing continued support.
European allies of Ukraine insist that negotiations with Russia may only be successful if Ukraine holds a strong strategic position. President Zelenskiy asserts that Russian aggression poses a risk not just to Ukraine, but to other European nations as well. Recent meetings in Saudi Arabia with Russian officials were focused on re-establishing communication following past disruptions.
Trump has recently criticized Ukraine for its dwindling personnel and resources, urging it to expedite negotiations with Russia. His administration has restricted certain weapon shipments and intelligence sharing due to perceived Ukrainian reluctance towards peace initiatives. Nonetheless, Trump mentioned that the U.S. has nearly lifted the suspension on the intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
The situation remains complex, with ongoing Russian advancements in Eastern Ukraine and the precarious status of thousands of Ukrainian troops. A National Security Council spokesperson confirmed that Zelenskiy is making strides in mending ties with the U.S. following earlier tensions.
Amid these discussions, there lies the potential minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine, contingent on a security guarantee linked to Ukraine’s mineral resources. After an unsuccessful signing during Zelenskiy’s previous visit to Washington, there is a renewed interest in finalizing this deal, though completion hinges upon observable Ukrainian desires for peace.
The upcoming meeting in Saudi Arabia between U.S. officials and a Ukrainian delegation seeks to clarify Ukraine’s stance on making concessions to Russia for a potential peace agreement. With key U.S. representatives attending, the discussions are aimed at evaluating Ukraine’s readiness for pragmatic compromises amid ongoing military challenges. The dialogue will also address the anticipated minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, emphasizing a critical turning point in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
