President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Saudi Arabia for discussions aimed at improving U.S.-Ukraine relations following a challenging visit to Washington. His team will negotiate for military assistance and intelligence support, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also approaching the region to meet with Saudi officials.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has arrived in Saudi Arabia, preparing for discussions with American officials. While he will not directly meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his delegation aims to mend ties following a contentious visit to Washington on February 28, which involved a confrontation with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The scheduled Ukraine-U.S. summit will occur in Jeddah on Tuesday, as reported by Saudi state television.
Later today, President Zelenskyy is expected to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after sunset, coinciding with the conclusion of Ramadan’s daily fast. Although Mr. Rubio is also traveling to Jeddah, he does not plan to meet President Zelenskyy but will engage with Prince Mohammed.
The Ukrainian team will seek to persuade the U.S. administration to restore military aid and intelligence support crucial for Ukraine since the onset of Russia’s invasion in 2022. Rubio expressed that if an agreement is reached between Ukraine and the U.S. that aligns with Trump’s expectations, it may expedite peace negotiations.
Rubio remarked, “What we want to know is, are they interested [in] entering some sort of peace conversation and general outlines of the kinds of things they could consider, recognizing that it has been a costly and bloody war for the Ukrainians.” He acknowledged the significant suffering endured by the Ukrainian people and emphasized the necessity of concessions to halt further hostilities.
In other developments, Sir Keir Starmer communicated with President Trump prior to the upcoming meeting, indicating the UK’s ongoing commitment to a durable peace. The Prime Minister expressed hope for positive resolutions that would facilitate renewed U.S. aid and intelligence exchanges.
Recently, the European Union decided to enhance its defense capabilities and allocate substantial funds for security initiatives in light of the Trump administration’s changing policies towards Ukraine. A U.S. intelligence official stated that the halt on sharing intelligence for offensive use by Ukrainian forces concerning Ukraine remains active, but discussions during the Saudi meetings may lead to advancements in reinstating this collaboration.
In summary, President Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen U.S.-Ukraine relations following a troubled prior meeting in February. His team will negotiate for the restoration of vital military aid and intelligence amidst the backdrop of significant geopolitical changes and ongoing conflicts. The discussions are part of broader international efforts, including EU initiatives, to enhance regional security and address the challenges posed by the ongoing war with Russia.
Original Source: news.sky.com
