Anticipated Outcomes of US-Ukraine Peace Talks in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia will host peace talks between the US and Ukraine following tense discussions at the White House. President Trump expresses optimism for progress despite doubts about Ukraine’s survival amid Russian aggression. Ukraine aims to reestablish US support, while proposals for a partial ceasefire are met with skepticism from Russia. The talks may involve territorial concessions, facing opposition from Ukrainian leaders, making the outcome uncertain yet critical for regional stability.
Saudi Arabia is set to host peace talks between the United States and Ukraine, following a significant meeting with President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and JD Vance that escalated into an argument. These discussions will commence on Tuesday, nearly a month after Russian negotiations with Trump’s team. President Trump expressed optimism for significant progress in these talks, although he voiced uncertainty about Ukraine’s survival amid Russian invasion efforts.
The primary objective for Ukraine, mirroring the priorities of Europe, is to re-establish a strong partnership with the United States. In support of this, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sent national security advisor Jonathan Powell to Kyiv to provide strategic guidance. While Saudi Arabia may appear an unconventional choice for these discussions, the kingdom, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is emerging as a significant mediator for peace negotiations involving both Kyiv and Moscow.
The talks are scheduled in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, against a backdrop of escalating conflict, as Russian forces recently launched a counterattack in Ukraine’s Kursk region, threatening Ukraine’s negotiation leverage. Consequently, Ukraine enters the talks with a pressing need to alter the current trajectory of the conflict in its favor.
President Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, following a brief trip to the UAE, which was also debated as a potential venue for peace talks. He emphasized the continued collaboration with partners who share a commitment to peace. A tumultuous previous meeting at the White House revealed tensions, with Trump asserting that Zelensky was not prepared to cease hostilities and cautioning him against endangering global peace. This resulted in Ukraine’s hope for military support being jeopardized after Zelensky refrained from signing an agreement concerning access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
Zelensky’s team includes key national figures, such as his chief of staff and foreign and defense ministers, who will participate in the discussions. The US delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, joined by national security adviser Mike Waltz and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Rubio previously conveyed Trump’s intent to expedite the end of the conflict and stressed the necessity for all parties to pursue a sustainable peace.
Ukraine is anticipated to propose a partial ceasefire pertaining to aerial and maritime engagements with Russia, a proposition Zelensky publicly acknowledged post a devastating missile attack in which 14 lives were lost. The hope is that this will coax the US to restore comprehensive military support, which remains their utmost priority. However, Russian officials firmly opposed any form of ceasefire without a definitive resolution.
On the US side, officials suggest that Trump seeks to encourage Zelensky to consider territorial concessions and contemplate electoral processes in Ukraine. Such propositions face unanimous objection from the Ukrainian government and opposition, which argue that elections would inadvertently legitimize Russian territorial occupation. Meanwhile, Zelensky has expressed willingness to trade his presidency for Ukraine’s membership in NATO, which he believes is vital for Ukraine’s security, a notion Trump has dismissed.
The forthcoming talks in Saudi Arabia between the US and Ukraine present a critical opportunity to address ongoing tensions and foster a resolution to the conflict with Russia. Despite President Trump’s optimistic outlook and strategic proposals to Zelensky, significant challenges remain, particularly surrounding electoral processes and territorial concessions. The outcome of these discussions will be pivotal in shaping Ukraine’s military support from the US and future relations with Russia.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
