Ukraine Presents Ceasefire Proposal During U.S. Talks in Saudi Arabia

U.S. and Ukrainian officials held talks in Saudi Arabia on a potential ceasefire plan with Russia, focusing on halting missile strikes and a Black Sea truce. Delegation led by U.S. officials including Marco Rubio, with emphasis on understanding Ukraine’s concessions. Mineral resource discussions were acknowledged but deemed secondary to immediate diplomatic outcomes.

Talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials commenced on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine is expected to present a partial ceasefire proposal with Russia. The proposed plan entails a cessation of long-range missile strikes and a truce specifically applicable to the Black Sea region. Notably, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not attend the discussions; instead, the delegation was led by key figures including chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and military commander Pavlo Palisa.

President Zelenskyy expressed on social media before the meetings that Ukraine is optimistic about achieving “practical outcomes” from the discussions. The U.S. delegation was led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who are aligned with President Donald Trump’s initiative to expedite a resolution to the ongoing conflict that escalated following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Rubio indicated that the United States is keen to address the current pause in aid to Ukraine, stating that the U.S. remains in a receptive state, seeking to comprehend the potential concessions that Ukraine might be prepared to offer. He emphasized that Ukraine is already receiving vital defensive intelligence, and resolving the aid pause is expected to be a pivotal aspect of the talks, stating, “what happens tomorrow will be key to that.” Rubio also conveyed that discussions would not entail overly defined boundaries but aims to gauge concessions that could be feasible for Ukraine, underscoring that both parties need to undertake challenging decisions, as no military solution exists.

Following these discussions, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Rubio, while he had earlier engaged with Zelenskyy in Riyadh. Trump has reportedly expressed interest in conditional military aid tied to access to Ukraine’s natural resources, including valuable minerals crucial for the U.S. economy. However, Rubio clarified that securing a minerals agreement was not the main focus of the talks, emphasizing that procedural details remain under consideration.

Rubio also acknowledged the constructive contributions by Britain and France in the negotiations with Ukraine. He stated to VOA that there has been no deliberation regarding China’s involvement in postwar peacekeeping or reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. Rubio’s visit marked his second trip to Saudi Arabia since assuming office, and he has plans to meet with G7 foreign ministers in Canada shortly thereafter.

In summary, U.S. and Ukrainian officials engaged in significant peace talks in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing a potential ceasefire and necessary concessions. President Zelenskyy remains hopeful for positive outcomes, with Rubin highlighting the need for clear dialogue surrounding aid and potential mineral agreements. While examining support from international allies, the focus remains on resolving both military and resource-related discussions to achieve stability in the region.

Original Source: www.voanews.com