Top Ukrainian officials, led by Andriy Yermak, will meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saudi Arabia for discussions aimed at peace amidst ongoing attacks from Russia. Donald Trump anticipates positive outcomes and emphasizes a potential minerals agreement. Meanwhile, France commits additional military support to Ukraine financed through frozen Russian assets.

Ukrainian officials are set to arrive in Saudi Arabia to engage with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other aides of former President Donald Trump. Leading the Ukrainian delegation is Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office; President Zelenskyy is also expected to attend these discussions. He has expressed Ukraine’s commitment to engaging in productive dialogue, emphasizing the necessity for rapid and effective action on “realistic proposals.”

Former President Trump has indicated optimism regarding the negotiations, mentioning his anticipation of positive results. He noted that his administration has nearly lifted an intelligence pause regarding Ukraine and is evaluating various tariffs on Russia. Trump also suggested that Ukraine was likely to finalize a minerals agreement with the U.S., pointing out the importance of fostering a desire for peace.

Last week, President Zelenskyy highlighted the intensity of the conflict, reporting that Russia conducted hundreds of attacks against Ukrainian forces. In total, around 1,200 guided bombs, 870 attack drones, and over 80 missiles were employed against Ukraine. This follows incidents where Russian special forces attempted a covert operation through a decommissioned gas pipeline, leading to significant counteractions from Ukrainian forces.

On Sunday, Russia declared the capture of territory in Ukraine’s Sumy region, marking the first such achievement since 2022. The Russian defense ministry has claimed control over four villages located in the vicinity of Sudzha, and similar claims were made concerning the capture of three additional villages in the days prior.

In retaliation, Ukrainian drones targeted oil facilities within Russia, striking an oil depot in Cheboksary and reportedly causing explosions at a major refinery in Ryazan. Local officials, including the governor Pavel Malkov, confirmed the attacks’ occurrence.

France announced its intent to utilize profits from frozen Russian assets to supply an additional €195 million ($212 million) in military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery shells and glide bombs for Mirage 2000 jets. French Foreign Minister Sébastien Lecornu discussed these developments in a recent interview, detailing the ongoing military support facilitated through this financial strategy.

During an awards ceremony, President Zelenskyy humorously acknowledged his attire, stating, “Sorry I’m not in a suit,” while receiving applause from attendees. His outfit featured the trident symbol of Ukraine, reminiscent of his earlier interactions with U.S. President Joe Biden.

In summary, high-level negotiations between Ukrainian officials and U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia aim to foster constructive dialogue and expedite peace efforts amid ongoing hostilities. Despite recent escalations and attacks in the conflict, both parties appear committed to addressing the situation through diplomatic channels, with support from allied nations like France. Furthermore, President Zelenskyy continues to engage actively, balancing the somber realities of the war with moments of levity.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com

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