Kathmandu: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of high-stakes discussions between Ukrainian and U.S. officials regarding military aid and intelligence-sharing.
The talks come in the wake of a heated Oval Office exchange between Zelenskyy and U.S. leaders during his February 28 visit to Washington. As the Biden administration reassesses its support for Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are set to meet with Ukrainian representatives on Tuesday to gauge their stance on potential peace negotiations with Russia.
Speaking to reporters en route to Jeddah, Rubio emphasized the need to understand Ukraine’s willingness to engage in peace talks. “They have suffered greatly, and it’s hard to talk about concessions after such a costly war. But that’s the only way to prevent further suffering,” he said.
Zelenskyy’s delegation, led by Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, will participate in the discussions. However, Zelenskyy himself is not expected to attend the negotiations.
Meanwhile, European allies remain wary of the Biden administration’s shifting stance on Ukraine, particularly following the European Union’s recent decision to boost its own defense capabilities.
A key issue at the Jeddah talks will be the status of U.S. intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. While Washington has continued providing defensive intelligence, it has paused intelligence that could aid Ukrainian offensive operations. U.S. officials have suggested that progress on this front could emerge during the Saudi discussions.
As the war in Ukraine continues, the outcome of the Jeddah talks could significantly shape the future of U.S. involvement in the conflict and Kyiv’s path forward.
Source: AP