Ukraine’s Proposed Peace Plan Discussed in U.S.-Ukraine Talks
U.S. and Ukrainian officials are in talks in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine will present a ceasefire plan with Russia, focusing on halting missile strikes and a Black Sea truce. Key U.S. officials aim to understand Ukraine’s concessions regarding military aid and resource discussions. The talks are underscored by President Trump’s interest in Ukraine’s mineral resources, albeit not as a primary agenda item.
U.S. and Ukrainian officials commenced talks on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine is anticipated to present a partial ceasefire plan with Russia. The Ukrainian proposal involves ceasing long-range missile strikes and establishing a truce concerning the Black Sea. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not attend the discussions, with representation by key officials including Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and military commander Pavlo Palisa.
Prior to the talks, President Zelenskyy expressed on X that Ukraine aspires to achieve “practical outcomes.” The U.S. delegation is led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, as President Trump aims for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict that commenced with Russia’s invasion in early 2022. Rubio indicated on Monday that their objective is to address the suspension of aid to Ukraine and emphasized that the U.S. is currently in a listening phase to gauge Ukraine’s potential concessions.
Rubio remarked, “The Ukrainians are already receiving all defensive intelligence information as we speak,” highlighting the importance of resolving the aid pause. He further asserted that achieving military solutions remains uncertain and underlined that both parties, Ukraine and Russia, must undertake challenging decisions for progress to occur. Following this, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held meetings with both Rubio and Zelenskyy, aiming to facilitate discussions.
Amid these diplomatic efforts, President Trump has proposed making military assistance contingent on access to Ukraine’s vast mineral resources, including rare earth elements and lithium, crucial to the U.S. economy. Rubio, however, stated that discussions surrounding Ukraine’s mineral resources are not the primary focus of these talks, noting the ongoing need to finalize various details before a specific agreement can be reached. He also acknowledged the constructive roles of Britain’s and France’s contributions in engaging with Ukraine.
Rubio’s visit marks his second trip to Saudi Arabia since taking office, after previous discussions with Russian officials in February earlier this year. He is expected to proceed to Canada for meetings with G7 foreign ministers following these talks.
In summary, discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia are centered on Ukraine’s proposed ceasefire plan with Russia, emphasizing the cessation of missile strikes and truce in the Black Sea. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is spearheading efforts to analyze potential concessions from Ukraine while addressing the freeze on military aid. Although mineral resources form part of the overarching dialogue, they are not the primary concern at this stage. Continued diplomatic engagements and cooperation with allied nations such as Britain and France remain pivotal in seeking a resolution to the conflict.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
