President Of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy has reached in Jeddah on Monday. He is expected to meet the crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later today.
Ukraine and US officials prepare for pivotal discussions in Saudi Arabia tomorrow, and are expected to yield significant advancements towards peace with Russia
Once Ukraine’s main ally, United States has overhauled its wartime policy under Trump.
Trump believed in rapid end to the war, thus engaged with Russia directly and stopped the military assistance and intelligence for Kyiv.
Earlier, Zelenskiy and Trump had a disastrous encounter at oval office. The new approach in white house has pushed Ukraine for “pragmatic” relations.
Saudi Arabia has been playing the role of mediator in the war.
It hosted talks between Moscow and Washington last month and brokered prisoner’s exchange.
These new sets of talks will be first official after the heated white house meeting. Trump’s envoy for middle East, Witkoff also hoped for good going into the talks.
“I think that we’re going over there with an expectation that we’re going to make substantial progress,” Witkoff said in an interview.
When asked Zelenskiy would return to the U.S. to sign minerals deal this week, Witkoff said: “I am really hopeful. All the signs are very, very positive.”
U.S secretary of state Marco Rubio also echoed positivity while talking to reporters enroute to Jeddah.
While Zelensky announced that he will not sit in the talks and Ukrainian delegation will include Chief of Staff, his foreign and Defense minister and top military official.
He said that “On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps,”
“Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively, “he added .
