Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has identified three main topics for talks with the US in Saudi Arabia: resource agreement, military assistance, and the negotiation framework with Russia. A ceasefire is ruled out unless it leads to negotiations. Key officials from both countries will attend the meeting on March 11.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has outlined three pivotal aspects for upcoming talks with United States officials in Saudi Arabia. Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office, has commented on these aspects, which include a resource agreement, military assistance, and the negotiation format with Russia. Podolyak has explicitly stated that a unilateral ceasefire is not on the table unless it leads to a meaningful negotiation process.
Podolyak emphasized that discussions are ongoing, highlighting direct communication between the US and Ukrainian administrations regarding a potential bilateral meeting in Riyadh. Following an official dialogue with Saudi representatives, the focus will shift to a meeting between US and Ukrainian officials. The framework of the impending agreement between Ukraine and the US remains under development, with further discussions anticipated.
Military assistance is another crucial element, as Podolyak pointed out that specific critical weaponry essential for Ukraine is exclusively provided by the US, such as missiles used in Patriot systems. Given the continuance of Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian soil, this aspect forms a vital part of the negotiations. Lastly, the format of the negotiation process with Russia will be essential, including potential stages and coordination of positions among Ukraine, Europe, and the US.
The talks in Saudi Arabia are scheduled for March 11. Lead negotiator Andriy Yermak, the Head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, will spearhead the Ukrainian delegation, which includes Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov. The US delegation will feature US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, all contributing to discussions on the framework for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
In summary, the upcoming negotiations between Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia are centered around three critical aspects: a resource agreement, military assistance, and the negotiation process with Russia. A unilateral ceasefire is not considered unless it enables productive negotiations. The discussions are a crucial step toward coordinating strategies and reaching a potential peace agreement.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua
