U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to assess Ukraine’s commitment to a realistic peace. Concerns regarding Ukraine’s inflexibility on territorial borders will be addressed, as officials seek to ensure Ukraine is ready for pragmatic negotiations. The talks will also explore a minerals deal involving U.S. security guarantees in conjunction with future peace plans. Trump has expressed optimism about potential progress in the negotiation process.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday for discussions with Ukrainian officials, including Andriy Yermak, an aide to President Zelenskiy. Accompanying him will be National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. U.S. officials have expressed that participants in the talks must not merely profess a desire for peace without a willingness to compromise.
Officials have emphasized the need to gauge Ukraine’s readiness for a pragmatic peace approach. They noted that if Ukrainian leaders are unwavering regarding borders from 2014 or 2022, it may indicate a lack of interest in a realistic resolution. The discussions aim to establish whether Ukraine is committed to achieving a sustainable peace rather than remaining inflexible.
President Trump has expressed optimism regarding the outcomes of this week’s talks, stating a belief in substantial progress. Meanwhile, Ukrainian allies have argued that Ukraine should negotiate from a position of strength rather than being pressured into discussions with aggressors. Zelenskiy has claimed that Russian President Putin does not seek peace and that further aggression is likely if Ukraine does not decisively defeat Russia.
Negotiations have previously occurred between U.S. and Russian officials in Riyadh to reconnect after a period of limited contact. Recently, Trump has criticized Ukraine for allegedly failing to engage constructively in peace discussions while justifying a reduction in military support. Critics of Trump’s approach warn that these measures could unintentionally prolong the conflict by emboldening Russia.
Recent developments show Russian troops making gradual gains in eastern Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces are reportedly encircled in Russia’s Kursk region. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes noted that Zelenskiy has worked towards improving the U.S.-Ukraine relationship since a contentious prior meeting with Trump.
During the upcoming talks, Witkoff intends to address a possible ceasefire and framework for peace, acknowledging that the fate of a minerals deal, which includes U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine’s resource access, is also on the agenda. Although Zelenskiy and Trump had initially planned to sign this accord, previous tensions delayed the signing, which both sides now express a renewed interest in completing, contingent on Ukraine’s demonstrated commitment to peace.
In summary, the upcoming discussions between U.S. officials and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia aim to evaluate Ukraine’s commitment to a realistic and compromise-oriented peace. The context of these talks includes ongoing military tensions and the potential signing of a minerals deal linked to U.S. security assurances. The outcome of the meeting could significantly impact the dynamics of the conflict and the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Original Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
