Ukrainian officials will negotiate with US counterparts in Saudi Arabia to resume military support and intelligence-sharing, previously halted under Trump. President Zelenskyy seeks to present a willingness for negotiations to end the war with Russia, proposing a partial ceasefire in exchange for renewed US backing amidst changing diplomatic dynamics.
Ukrainian officials are set to meet with US counterparts in Saudi Arabia this week to discuss resuming intelligence-sharing and military assistance, previously frozen during President Trump’s administration. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aims to demonstrate Kyiv’s readiness for rapid negotiations to resolve the ongoing war with Russia, seeking renewed US support through these talks.
The Ukrainian delegation plans to propose a partial ceasefire covering long-range drone and missile strikes, as well as operations in the Black Sea, in hopes of regaining US military backing. This comes after Ukraine’s withdrawal from Russian-held territories in the Kursk region, marking a direct impact from the cessation of US aid. Officials believe progress in ceasefire discussions is essential for restoring US support.
Zelenskyy will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before the formal negotiations begin. Leading Ukraine’s delegation is Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskyy’s office, alongside Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. The talks, attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aim to push for an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Prior tensions arose from a February 28 meeting at the White House, where discrepancies in war strategy led to a crisis in US-Ukrainian relations. As a result, Ukrainian officials have adopted a more conciliatory approach to regain US backing. However, Trump has been hesitant to commit to renewed military support, suggesting that any forthcoming deal, particularly on minerals, would not be enough to lift the aid freeze.
European allies, including the UK and France, have expressed support for Ukraine’s diplomatic initiatives. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted close cooperation between Brussels and Kyiv. A coalition of approximately 20 nations is reportedly discussing support options for Ukraine if a ceasefire is achieved, despite Trump’s reluctance toward such plans.
To advance negotiations, Ukraine has also introduced a structured ceasefire proposal, beginning with an end to aerial operations and energy infrastructure strikes, followed by prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. However, Moscow has expressed skepticism towards Ukraine’s approach, asserting that any temporary measures are unacceptable without a comprehensive settlement.
In summary, high-stakes talks between Ukraine and the US in Saudi Arabia focus on resuming military and intelligence support, which has been frozen since Trump’s presidency. Ukraine aims to negotiate a partial ceasefire to secure aid, while European allies back its diplomatic efforts. However, Trump’s conditions and Russia’s skepticism pose challenges to these negotiations.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
