U.S. Believes Ukraine Is Ready to Engage on Ceasefire Discussions

The U.S. believes Ukraine is ready to move forward with ceasefire negotiations with Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are set to meet Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. President Trump has pressured Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire without immediate security guarantees, despite previous tensions between them.

The United States perceives that Ukraine is “ready to move forward” regarding the call for a ceasefire with Russia, as articulated by a high-ranking State Department official. The arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz in Saudi Arabia is part of discussions scheduled with Ukrainian officials. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has intensified his demands on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire, although without offering a direct U.S. security guarantee.

Over a week prior, Trump and Zelensky had a public disagreement at the White House, where Trump asserted that Zelensky was unwilling to cease hostilities. Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine began in February 2022, resulting in Russian forces currently occupying nearly 20% of Ukrainian land. The State Department official remarked that the senior-level U.S. visit signifies a willingness from Ukraine’s leadership to engage in dialogue.

Although President Zelensky is also expected in Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he will not formally participate in talks with U.S. representatives. Instead, Ukraine’s delegation will include head of office Andriy Yermak, along with the national security adviser and foreign and defense ministers. In a recent video address, Zelensky expressed hope for beneficial outcomes in achieving peace and obtaining continued international support.

Zelensky has faced considerable U.S. pressure to make concessions prior to peace negotiations, while simultaneously advocating for robust security assurances from the U.S., reflecting skepticism regarding Russia’s compliance with past ceasefire agreements. Details of U.S. demands for concessions from the Russian side remain undisclosed.

Following the discord at the White House, Zelensky expressed remorse and sought to mend ties with the U.S., a vital military ally. Steve Witkoff, a special envoy, mentioned that Trump received a letter from Zelensky that included an apology and gratitude. In Saudi Arabia, the U.S. delegation aims to outline a “framework” for peace negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with discussions concerning a substantial mineral deal also anticipated.

The previous clash at the White House contributed to the suspension of all U.S. military assistance to Ukraine and a halt in intelligence sharing. In a press engagement, when asked about the potential lifting of the intelligence pause, Trump indicated a readiness to resume support, expressing a desire for Ukraine to approach negotiations seriously. Additionally, Rubio had previously met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia, which traced back to a contentious phone call between Trump and Putin.

In summary, the United States is actively engaging with Ukraine, indicating readiness for a ceasefire process amid pressure from President Trump for concessions. The dialogue continues in Saudi Arabia, where significant discussions with Ukrainian officials will take place. The ongoing dynamic between the two nations highlights the complexity of securing peace in the context of the war with Russia, alongside the critical issue of establishing firm security guarantees for Ukraine.

Original Source: www.bbc.com