President Zelenskyy in Saudi Arabia for Crucial US-Ukraine Talks

President Zelenskyy arrives in Saudi Arabia for a summit with the U.S., aiming to improve relations after a strained previous meeting. He is set to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while Secretary of State Rubio travels to Jeddah as well. The focus is on restoring military aid to Ukraine amidst ongoing discussions of peace efforts.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Saudi Arabia to engage in discussions with a U.S. delegation, although he will not be present for the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. His team aims to repair relations following a contentious visit to Washington on February 28, which ended in a disagreement with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The summit is scheduled for Tuesday in Jeddah, as reported by Saudi state television.

During his stay, President Zelenskyy is expected to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after sunset, coinciding with the conclusion of Ramadan’s daily fast. Secretary Rubio is traveling to Jeddah as well but will not meet with Zelenskyy. Rubio is set to meet with the Crown Prince instead in an effort to strengthen ties and facilitate discussions.

The Ukrainian delegation’s primary objective is to persuade the U.S. to restore the military aid and intelligence support essential for Ukraine in its defense against Russia, which has been ongoing since the full-scale invasion in 2022. In comments made aboard his flight, Rubio highlighted the importance of establishing a framework for potential peace talks, recognizing the significant toll of the conflict on Ukraine. He noted, “What we want to know is, are they interested [in] entering some sort of peace conversation… it has been a costly and bloody war for the Ukrainians.”

Further communication was established on Monday between Sir Keir Starmer and President Trump, wherein Starmer assured the President of the UK’s commitment to facilitating a lasting peace. The Prime Minister expressed hope for a positive outcome from the proceedings that would allow for the resumption of U.S. aid and intelligence support. Additionally, both leaders discussed ongoing economic negotiations first addressed during Trump’s prior visit.

In the realm of European affairs, the EU recently decided to enhance defensive capabilities in response to shifts in U.S. policy regarding Ukraine, allocating hundreds of billions of euros for security purposes. A U.S. intelligence official indicated that while the sharing of offensive intelligence with Ukraine remains suspended, there may be opportunities for reinstatement during the discussions in Saudi Arabia.

In conclusion, President Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia marks a critical effort to reshape U.S.-Ukraine relations following earlier diplomatic conflicts. The engagement aims to restore military and intelligence support crucial for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Sir Keir Starmer’s recent discussions with President Trump and the European Union’s commitment to enhance security indicate a broader strategic response to ongoing regional challenges, with hopes for a positive outcome from the upcoming talks.

Original Source: news.sky.com