Zelenskyy Travels to Saudi Arabia Ahead of High-Stakes US-Ukraine Talks

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is traveling to Riyadh to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on March 10, ahead of US-Ukrainian talks set for March 11 aimed at ending the war with Russia. The US is pressuring Kyiv for a ceasefire despite withholding military support. Zelenskyy will not attend the Jeddah negotiations, instead sending a delegation to discuss a proposed peace plan, while Trump raises doubts about Ukraine’s ability to sustain the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Riyadh on March 10 for a key meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit precedes critical discussions among Ukrainian and US representatives set for March 11 in Jeddah, focusing on strategies to conclude Russia’s prolonged conflict with Ukraine.

The United States, Ukraine’s primary military ally, aims for a swift resolution to the war and is engaging in direct negotiations with Moscow. However, it has temporarily halted military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, complicating the situation further. The upcoming talks in Jeddah will mark the first formal discussion since a contentious Oval Office exchange on February 28 involving Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance.

Zelenskyy has stated that he will not participate in the Jeddah discussions. The Ukrainian delegation is set to include Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while the US team is anticipated to comprise Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who departed for Saudi Arabia on the evening of March 9.

On March 9, Zelenskyy conveyed on social media that he is committed to a constructive dialogue, expressing hope for meaningful discussions: “On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively.”

Kyiv plans to propose a peace initiative presented by Zelenskyy, which includes an air and sea truce as an initial step toward ceasing hostilities. Despite the pressure from Washington to agree to a ceasefire quickly, there remains no firm US security guarantee for Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggression. Moscow has recently intensified its attacks and reported territorial gains in Ukraine.

On March 9, former President Trump suggested in an interview that even with US support, Ukraine may struggle to prevail in the conflict against Russia. He contended that the Ukrainian leadership has not expressed adequate gratitude for US assistance but acknowledged Zelenskyy as “smart” and “tough.” Concurrently, the Russian Defense Ministry reported recapturing several areas in the Kursk region and making advancements in eastern Ukraine, with unverified reports indicating that Ukrainian troops could be encircled by Russian forces.

In conclusion, President Zelenskyy’s imminent visit to Saudi Arabia aims to foster critical dialogue among Ukrainian and US officials as they seek resolution for the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy’s absence from the upcoming talks highlights complexities in US-Ukrainian relations amid the search for a ceasefire, with ongoing Russian military action intensifying the pressure on Ukrainian leadership. The world will closely monitor the outcomes of these discussions as they may significantly impact the trajectory of the war.

Original Source: www.rferl.org