U.S. officials plan to assess Ukraine’s readiness for peace negotiations with Russia during a meeting in Saudi Arabia, focusing on potential concessions and relationship improvements with the Trump administration. Key figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will attend alongside Ukrainian leaders, as President Zelenskiy expresses commitment to peace amid recent tensions with Trump and discussions surrounding a minerals deal.
U.S. officials are set to assess Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions to Russia during a meeting in Saudi Arabia with a Ukrainian delegation. This meeting aims to gauge Ukraine’s commitment to improving relations with the Trump administration following a recent contentious exchange between Presidents Trump and Zelenskiy. Key U.S. figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, will attend, with discussions led by Ukrainian aide Andriy Yermak.
A U.S. official stated that genuine commitment to peace must involve realistic compromises. They remarked, “You cannot say ‘I want peace’ and then refuse to compromise on anything.” Additionally, the officials expressed concern that if Ukraine insists on reverting to 2014 or 2022 borders, it may indicate a lack of authentic peace intentions.
President Trump expressed optimism regarding the upcoming discussions, stating, “We’re going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week.” President Zelenskiy reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing peace in his evening address, indicating his arrival in Saudi Arabia to collaborate on this front, with the dual goal of securing support and advancing peace efforts.
Ukraine’s European allies assert that the nation should negotiate from a position of strength and must not hastily engage with Russia, which President Zelenskiy believes harbors intentions to attack additional European nations if its aggression in Ukraine is not decisively countered.
In recent weeks, Trump has expressed frustration with Ukraine, suggesting the nation must urgently negotiate with Russia, and has curtailed weapon shipments and intelligence sharing with Kyiv. Critics contend that such moves might embolden Russia, prolonging the conflict and diminishing prospects for a fair peace deal.
U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes noted Zelenskiy’s efforts to repair U.S.-Ukraine relations following the earlier meeting with Trump. Hughes highlighted recent comments from Trump, which indicated a willingness to reconsider collaboration with Ukraine. Furthermore, envoy Witkoff mentioned discussions on a potential ceasefire framework during the Saudi talks.
The negotiations are also underscored by an anticipated minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, which Ukraine desires to include security guarantees in exchange for access to its mineral resources. Both nations have signaled interest in signing the deal despite its earlier postponement due to disagreements. Trump indicated that signature will depend on Ukraine demonstrating a genuine desire for peace.
In summary, the upcoming meeting in Saudi Arabia will be crucial in determining Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate and make concessions regarding peace with Russia. The discussions will also address the state of U.S.-Ukraine relations following recent tensions. The success of peace efforts may depend significantly on Ukraine’s approach and actions following these discussions, especially concerning the minerals deal and broader geopolitical considerations.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
