Top Trump officials will meet separately with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia this week to discuss peace negotiations. These meetings follow recent talks and are aimed at repairing U.S.-Ukraine relations and addressing potential sanctions against Russia. The outcomes could shape future diplomatic efforts in the region.
Top officials from the Trump administration are scheduled to convene separate meetings with both Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia this week, according to reporting from CNN dated March 9. During his comments to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump mentioned, “Big meetings coming up, as you know, in Saudi Arabia. That’s going to include Russia, but Ukraine, we’ll see if we can get something done.”
These anticipated meetings follow previous discussions, including a US-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia on February 18, where a three-step peace plan was suggested: an initial ceasefire, followed by elections in Ukraine, and culminating in a final agreement. The talks this week are also a continuation of an Oval Office meeting conducted last month involving Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During this discussion, Trump and Vance were critical of Zelensky regarding the ongoing conflict, while Zelensky countered concerning security guarantees and earlier agreements with Russia.
In the wake of this diplomatic exchange, U.S. and Ukrainian officials have been actively working to mend relations. According to sources, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to engage with Ukrainian counterparts in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the Ukrainian delegation is slated to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh prior to the commencement of US-Ukrainian discussions.
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg had remarked earlier that American pressure on Ukraine is akin to “hitting a mule with a board on the nose – you got their attention,” implying that the withholding of military aid was intended to incentivize Ukraine to negotiate. Trump indicated a willingness to exert pressure on Russia as well, announcing on Truth Social his consideration of “massive Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs against Russia until a ceasefire and FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT is reached.” On March 10, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that no US-Russia meetings would be scheduled for this week.
In conclusion, significant diplomatic meetings involving high-ranking Trump administration officials with both Russian and Ukrainian delegations are set to take place in Saudi Arabia this week. These discussions aim to address peace negotiations following a series of prior meetings and strained relations. Through potential sanctions and diplomatic engagement, the U.S. seeks to foster stability in the region. The outcomes of these encounters may influence the trajectory of U.S.-Ukraine relations and broader geopolitical dynamics in the context of the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: euromaidanpress.com
