The US and Ukraine engage in critical talks in Saudi Arabia to assess peace opportunities following President Zelensky’s previous visit to the White House. Key US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will evaluate Ukraine’s openness to compromises with Russia and their commitment to improving ties with the US administration.

Saudi Arabia is hosting pivotal discussions between the United States and Ukraine, marking the first meeting since President Zelensky’s challenging visit to the White House last month. The objective is to evaluate Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions to Russia to facilitate an end to the ongoing conflict.

US officials aim to gauge Ukraine’s commitment to enhancing relations with the current administration, especially following the tensions during the February meeting. The focus will be on signs of genuine intent from Ukraine to rebuild ties.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading the American delegation to the talks in Jeddah, alongside National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Trump’s envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Ukrainian officials will be represented by Andriy Yermak, a prominent aide to Zelensky.

One US official emphasized the contradictory nature of peace efforts: “You can’t say ‘I want peace,’ and, ‘I refuse to compromise on anything.'” This statement underscores the necessity for Ukraine to consider some level of concession in the peace negotiations.

The talks in Saudi Arabia aim to bridge the gap between the US and Ukraine following recent diplomatic tensions. US officials seek clarity on Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions to Russia and improve relationships with the current administration, critical for any potential peace agreement. The outcome of these discussions could fundamentally influence the war’s trajectory and future US-Ukrainian relations.

Original Source: www.scmp.com