American and Ukrainian officials are convening in Jeddah to discuss ending Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, focusing on improving relations after recent tensions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized the need for Ukraine to make difficult choices, while President Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of mutual concessions and discussed a potential partial ceasefire. The context of military actions and negotiations remains delicate as discussions unfold.
Representatives from the United States and Ukraine are convening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for significant discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict initiated by Russia three years ago. This meeting comes in light of deteriorating relations between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a recent meeting in the Oval Office, where Trump criticized Ukraine as a barrier to peace and halted military aid.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is leading the U.S. delegation, emphasized the necessity for Ukraine to demonstrate a willingness to undertake difficult decisions during the talks. President Zelenskyy has expressed his country’s commitment to achieving peace while ensuring adequate deterrence against future aggression from Russia.
Although Zelenskyy will not participate directly, he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia prior to the Jeddah talks to discuss the conditions for lasting peace. He highlighted the importance of prisoner exchanges and securing the return of Ukrainian children as critical components for building trust in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
A Ukrainian team is present in Jeddah to collaborate closely with the U.S. representatives, expressing optimism for practical outcomes from the meeting. Notable members of the Ukrainian delegation include Andriy Yermak, the head of the President’s Office, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The U.S. delegation features prominent figures such as national security adviser Mike Waltz.
The Trump administration is advocating that Ukraine make concessions to facilitate a peace agreement. Additionally, there is pressure for Ukraine to enter a minerals-sharing agreement designed to recoup billions in U.S. aid.
Rubio remarked that while Russia will also need to make concessions, details regarding this have yet to be articulated. A source close to Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine intends to propose a partial ceasefire covering specific military actions, with the execution timeframe still to be determined. Rubio expressed cautious optimism regarding this partial ceasefire proposal, noting its importance in the broader context of negotiations.
The discussions were initiated following Ukraine’s reported drone attack against Russia, which claimed the lives of two individuals in Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that there are no negotiations at present, reiterating that the current talks aim to assess Ukraine’s readiness for peace negotiations.
The upcoming talks in Jeddah aim to address and potentially resolve the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia amid recent tensions in U.S.-Ukrainian relations. Key figures like Marco Rubio stress the importance of Ukraine’s willingness to make difficult choices, while Zelenskyy has highlighted the critical elements necessary for securing a lasting peace. The proposed partial ceasefire reflects Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate, marking a significant step towards potential resolution, albeit amid ongoing military actions. The situation remains complex, with expectations for both sides to make concessions while peace talks proceed, amidst scrutiny of the motivations and actions of both nations involved.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
