Zelenskyy Visits Saudi Arabia to Reestablish U.S.-Ukraine Relations Ahead of Key Talks
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is in Saudi Arabia for talks to restore U.S.-Ukraine relations following a prior contentious visit. He plans to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engages in discussions separately. The Ukrainian delegation aims to negotiate the resumption of military aid and intelligence sharing amidst ongoing conflict and diplomatic efforts for peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Saudi Arabia for discussions with U.S. officials. Although he will not directly meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his team aims to reestablish relations after a contentious visit to Washington on February 28. The U.S.-Ukraine summit is scheduled for Tuesday in Jeddah, where Zelenskyy plans to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after sunset, coinciding with Ramadan.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Jeddah but is set to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed instead of Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian delegation seeks to persuade the U.S. to restore essential military aid and intelligence that have supported Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. Rubio stated that a mutually agreeable understanding could expedite peace discussions involving President Trump.
Rubio emphasized the importance of hearing Ukraine’s stance on entering peace talks, acknowledging the significant suffering endured during the conflict. He stated, “It’s hard in the aftermath of something like that to even talk about concessions, but that’s the only way this is going to end and prevent more suffering.” He plans to listen to Ukraine’s proposals to evaluate the gap between their requests and Russian positions.
On a related note, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer discussed the summit’s potential outcomes with President Trump. It was reported that UK officials remain committed to facilitating a lasting peace and are hopeful for a positive resolution that initiates U.S. aid and intelligence support. They also mentioned continuing discussions on an economic deal.
Additionally, the European Union recently authorized increased defense spending in response to shifts in U.S. policy regarding Ukraine. However, a U.S. intelligence official confirmed that a pause on intelligence sharing for offensive use by Ukrainian forces is still in effect, although there may be room for progress in these talks during the Saudi meetings.
In summary, President Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia aims to restore U.S.-Ukraine relations following previous diplomatic tensions. The Ukrainian team is poised to negotiate the reinstitution of military aid and intelligence support. Both U.S. officials and the UK Prime Minister are engaged in conversations aimed at achieving peace and ensuring Ukraine’s security amidst ongoing conflict. This period reflects a critical juncture in international relations amid the war’s escalation.
Original Source: news.sky.com
