High-stakes US-Ukraine talks will occur in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following tensions between Zelenskyy and Trump. Saudi Arabia aims to broker lasting peace amidst its growing diplomatic influence, with both nations represented by high-level delegations. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s role enhances the potential for meaningful negotiations to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
The US-Ukraine talks are slated to occur in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following a significant exchange between President Zelenskyy and former President Trump during a White House meeting on February 28. During that meeting, Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III,” which abruptly halted negotiations concerning a crucial deal on rare earth minerals required for US military support to Ukraine.
Jeddah was chosen for the discussions, as confirmed by Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry. Although the reasons for selecting Jeddah over Riyadh are unclear, the ministry declared its commitment to achieving a lasting resolution to the Ukrainian crisis and continued efforts over the past three years, hosting various meetings on the issue.
Zelenskyy will lead a delegation including his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak; Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha; and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. On the US side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the delegation and has already connected with Sybiha in preparation. The State Department conveyed Trump’s intent to bring a swift end to the conflict and foster a sustainable peace agreement.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has positioned Saudi Arabia as a diplomatic leader by engaging in various international issues, including a rapprochement with Iran and facilitating discussions regarding the wars in Sudan and Gaza. Additionally, Saudi Arabia maintains ties with Russia through OPEC+, making it a neutral ground for negotiations. The country’s controlled media environment and relative detachment from the war allow for private talks.
The upcoming US-Ukraine talks in Jeddah represent a critical diplomatic effort amid previous tensions between leaders. With Saudi Arabia’s increasing role in global diplomacy under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, these discussions could potentially pave the way for a sustainable peace agreement regarding the ongoing conflict. The involvement of high-level officials from both nations underscores the significance of achieving lasting stability in Ukraine.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
