Ukraine executed a large-scale drone attack on Russia shortly before U.S. talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. Russia reported significant drone interceptions with casualties. The U.S. delegation is assessing Ukraine’s positions without imposing conditions, while Ukraine seeks to restore military aid and propose a ceasefire.
Ukraine launched a significant drone assault on Russia shortly before key discussions with the United States aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Kyiv. Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that its forces intercepted 337 drones, resulting in two fatalities and 18 injuries across ten regions. Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, characterized this incident as the most extensive assault on the city since the war commenced.
Discussions between U.S. officials and Ukraine commenced in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. These negotiations offer Ukraine a chance to mend ties with the Trump administration following a dispute during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House regarding a rare earth mineral agreement.
Ukraine aims to persuade the U.S. to resume military aid and intelligence sharing, which had been suspended. Ukrainian representatives informed The Associated Press that they would propose a ceasefire in the Black Sea area to enhance shipping security, alongside other measures, including long-range missile strikes affecting Ukrainian civilians and the release of prisoners.
Secretary Rubio indicated that the U.S. delegation would not specify requirements for concluding the conflict. He expressed, “I’m not going to set any conditions on what they have to or need to do,” emphasizing the importance of understanding Ukraine’s position relative to Russia’s demands.
President Zelenskyy will not engage directly in the discussions with U.S. officials. Former President Trump stated his desire for Ukraine to actively seek peace, noting they have not demonstrated sufficient willingness to do so thus far. The Kremlin has yet to propose any compromises, maintaining that it would only cease hostilities if Ukraine abandons its NATO aspirations and acknowledges territories occupied by Russia as part of its own, which constitutes nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s recent drone attack on Russia coincided with critical talks in Jeddah with U.S. officials to address the ongoing conflict. While Kyiv seeks to re-establish military support and propose a ceasefire, U.S. representatives are focused on gauging Ukraine’s intentions without placing specific demands. The talks aim to bridge the gap between Ukraine’s needs and Russian conditions, amidst Russia’s firm stance on territorial claims and NATO alignment.
Original Source: news3lv.com
