Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Saudi Arabia for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ahead of a summit with U.S. officials. He aims to mend relations after a contentious meeting in Washington. The focus is on securing military aid and intelligence from the U.S. amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit precedes a significant summit with the United States, scheduled for the following day. The primary objective of Zelenskyy’s discussions is to restore relations after the tensions that arose during his February 28 meeting in Washington, D.C., which ended in discord with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
The stakes are high for Ukraine as they seek to secure military aid and intelligence from the United States, support vital for their defense against the ongoing Russian invasion, which commenced in 2022. Saudi state television confirmed Zelenskyy’s presence in Jeddah, the location for the forthcoming Ukraine-U.S. summit. Following the conclusion of Ramadan’s daily fast, Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is en route to Jeddah but is not expected to confer with Zelenskyy directly; he will also engage with the Crown Prince. Zelenskyy has appointed a delegation composed of his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov for talks with Rubio and the rest of the U.S. team.
An accord between Ukraine and the U.S. that finds favor with Trump could potentially advance the administration’s agenda towards initiating peace discussions. Nonetheless, European allies exhibit skepticism regarding these developments, feeling overlooked in the ongoing negotiations. The European Union has recently resolved to enhance continental defense strategies, allocating substantial financial resources in response to the evolving dynamics in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
In summary, President Zelenskyy’s diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia aims to mend relations with the United States following previous tensions. His discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, alongside American officials, focus on crucial military and intelligence support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict with Russia. The outcome of these talks may influence future peace negotiations, although European perspectives remain cautious given recent U.S. policy shifts.
Original Source: www.clickorlando.com
