Zelenskyy Arrives in Saudi Arabia for Key US-Ukraine Diplomatic Talks

President Zelenskyy has arrived in Saudi Arabia for crucial talks with U.S. officials, with hopes to restore military aid following previous tensions in Washington. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are also engaged in discussions about Ukraine’s future. There is an emphasis on peace negotiations to end the ongoing conflict, despite current restrictions on intelligence sharing.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in anticipation of a summit with U.S. officials. While he will not be present at the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Zelenskyy’s delegation aims to mend relations following a contentious visit to Washington on February 28. This visit resulted in a public disagreement with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The Saudi gathering will see Zelenskyy engaging with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after sunset, coinciding with the conclusion of the daily Ramadan fast. Although Rubio is traveling to Jeddah, he will only meet with the Crown Prince, not with Zelenskyy. Ukrainian representatives intend to advocate for the restoration of military aid and intelligence, critical support that Ukraine required since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Secretary Rubio expressed that a mutual understanding between Ukraine and the United States could accelerate peace efforts. He emphasized the need for Ukraine to explore peace negotiations, acknowledging the substantial hardships endured by Ukrainians during the prolonged conflict. Rubio stated, “They have suffered greatly and their people have suffered greatly. And 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.”

In concurrent developments, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has spoken with Trump regarding the US-Ukraine meeting. The Prime Minister reported to Trump that UK officials have been communicating with Ukraine and reaffirmed their commitment to achieving lasting peace. Both leaders expressed optimism for positive outcomes that would result in the resumption of US aid and intelligence sharing.

The European Union also announced a commitment to enhance its defense measures and allocate substantial funds for security in light of the shifting U.S. policy towards Ukraine. A U.S. intelligence official indicated that restrictions on intelligence sharing for offensive operations by Ukrainian forces are still in place, though potential advancements may emerge from the discussions in Saudi Arabia.

In conclusion, President Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia marks a significant diplomatic effort to restore U.S. military aid and improve relations following previous tensions. Both sides acknowledge the necessity of peace negotiations to mitigate the ongoing suffering caused by the war. The interactions among key international leaders highlight the continued global concern regarding Ukraine’s situation amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Original Source: news.sky.com