Senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials have met in Saudi Arabia to discuss repairing ties damaged by past confrontations. Ukraine’s delegation is led by Andriy Yermak and seeks renewed military support from the U.S., which has been hindered by demands for territorial concessions. The situation in the ongoing conflict remains precarious as Russian forces escalate their attacks amidst these diplomatic efforts.
Senior officials from the United States and Ukraine have convened in Saudi Arabia for pivotal discussions aimed at mending a fraught relationship. The Ukrainian delegation, under the leadership of Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will engage with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior White House officials in the city of Jeddah. This marks the first formal meeting since a critical crisis in the Oval Office led to a cessation of essential U.S. military and intelligence support for Ukraine.
The meeting will occur without the presence of the two national leaders, although President Zelenskyy was in Jeddah on the preceding day to confer with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has acted as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia. Zelenskyy has dispatched his foreign and defense ministers to Jeddah, expressing a commitment to constructive dialogue and the swift formulation of essential decisions. He mentioned that “realistic proposals are on the table,” emphasizing the urgency of effective action.
In light of Ukraine’s diminished support from the U.S., Russian military forces have intensified their operations, launching significant missile attacks and seeking to encircle Ukrainian troops that have been entrenched in the Kursk region. The White House has depicted the previous administration’s Ukraine policy as one aimed at fostering long-term peace, yet it has also faced criticism for coercing Ukraine into yielding its mineral resources without securing adequate security guarantees for Kyiv against further Russian incursions.
Zelenskyy remains eager to reestablish rapport with the U.S., even as he contemplates a minerals agreement that seems insufficient in reassurances against prospective Russian aggression. Concurrently, he continues efforts to garner European backing while facing mounting pressure to reconcile ties with Washington, which has historically been Ukraine’s most substantial ally since the onset of the 2022 Russian invasion.
Following discussions with Trump, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson expressed hope for a favorable outcome from the Saudi talks, which might rejuvenate U.S. aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. A Trump aide conveyed expectations of meaningful progress in Jeddah. Still, Secretary Rubio noted that additional details pertaining to the minerals deal remain to be addressed.
Reports suggest Trump may demand extensive concessions from Ukraine before renewing military assistance, including territorial compromises and the potential resignation of Zelenskyy. However, European allies have received indications of an imminent resumption of U.S. support. Trump stated, “We want to do anything we can to get Ukraine serious about getting something done,” underscoring an intention to evaluate Ukraine’s proposals during these discussions.
The Ukrainian delegation is anticipated to propose a peace plan integrating a cessation of drone and missile activities alongside a suspension of military operations in the Black Sea. However, the Ukrainian leadership perceives Russia’s lack of interest in a ceasefire as a significant hurdle to achieving a resolution. Furthermore, Russia has reported advances in the Kursk region, as Ukrainian forces continue their defensive operations against Russian restoration campaigns supported by North Korean troops.
Despite assertions of imminent encirclement of Ukrainian troops by Russian forces, Ukraine’s General Oleksandr Syrskyi dismissed these reports, stating the enemy is incurring substantial losses. In an alarming remark, Trump intimated that Ukraine may not sustain its defense against Russia, reinforcing existing doubts about its future viability on the battlefield.
As discussions unfold in Saudi Arabia, the focal points will include military aid, intelligence sharing, and the broader implications for regional stability in the ongoing conflict.
The high-level meetings in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Ukrainian officials aim to repair a damaged bilateral relationship following a significant crisis that obstructed military aid. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s commitment to discussing constructive proposals contrasts sharply with Trump’s stringent demands for concessions. The outcome of these dialogues remains pivotal for Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggressions and underlines the urgency for a reevaluation of international support mechanisms.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
