US-Ukraine Diplomacy: High-Stakes Talks for Military Aid and Ceasefire Plans
Ukrainian officials are set for critical discussions in Saudi Arabia, seeking to revive U.S. military assistance and intelligence-sharing halted under Trump’s administration. President Zelenskyy aims to negotiate a ceasefire and presents a sequential framework for peace talks. Amidst recent military withdrawals and diplomatic recalibrations, Europe’s backing highlights Ukraine’s strategic importance in this ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian officials are poised for significant negotiations with U.S. counterparts in Saudi Arabia this week, seeking to restore intelligence-sharing and military support halted during President Trump’s administration. President Zelenskyy will communicate Kyiv’s readiness for prompt negotiations to end the conflict with Russia, as reported by the Financial Times.
Ukrainian negotiators are contemplating a partial ceasefire that encompasses halting long-range drone and missile attacks, alongside military operations in the Black Sea, aiming to regain U.S. backing. This negotiation follows Ukraine’s recent military withdrawal from seized Russian territories, highlighting the impact of previous U.S. aid suspension.
Zelenskyy plans to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia prior to the formal negotiations commencing Tuesday. Leading the Ukrainian delegation, Andriy Yermak will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Chief of Staff Pavlo Palisa. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also engage in discussions aiming to facilitate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
The negotiations follow a strained meeting at the White House on February 28, during which disagreements over Ukraine’s war strategy with Trump led to a frayed relationship. In response, Ukrainian officials have adopted a more conciliatory attitude to revive U.S. support for their efforts.
Trump remains hesitant about military assistance, not specifically addressing the Saudi discussions in a recent Fox News interview but expressing optimism for an upcoming U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement. However, this agreement alone may not suffice for the resumption of U.S. aid, as his administration demands Ukraine to rethink its stance on peace talks, potentially including territorial concessions and the prospect of elections.
Support for Ukraine’s diplomatic maneuvers has been noted from European allies, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirming close cooperation with Kyiv. Reports indicate discussions among a coalition of approximately 20 nations, led by the UK and France, about continued backing for Ukraine contingent upon a ceasefire, albeit Trump has not confirmed support for this initiative.
Ukraine has proposed a phased ceasefire plan to secure U.S. assistance, suggesting a halt to aerial and naval operations, as well as strikes on energy and civilian targets. Subsequent steps would involve prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children abducted to Russia. However, Moscow exhibits skepticism towards Ukraine’s proposals, with Russian officials dismissing a ceasefire as unacceptable without a definitive resolution.
The upcoming U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia represent a pivotal moment for Ukraine as it seeks to restore military aid and intelligence cooperation with the U.S. The proposed ceasefire framework hopes to establish terms for a potential resolution while facing skepticism from Russia. Diplomatic efforts are indeed underway, with European allies signaling support for Ukraine’s initiatives, although the outcomes remain contingent on complex negotiations and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
