Zelenskyy Engages Saudi Crown Prince Ahead of Crucial U.S. Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia ahead of a summit with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions focus on military aid and potential peace negotiations regarding Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia. Key Ukrainian officials will participate in the talks as diplomatic tensions arise from previous meetings with U.S. leadership.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Saudi Arabia to engage with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prior to a summit with U.S. officials. During this meeting, Zelenskyy’s team aims to address tensions stemming from a contentious Oval Office meeting he had with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance during his February visit to Washington, which affected the provision of military aid and intelligence from the United States needed by Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022.
Zelenskyy and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in Jeddah shortly after Zelenskyy, will not meet directly, although Rubio also has scheduled discussions with the Crown Prince. As they navigate this complex diplomatic environment, Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz plan to assess Ukraine’s responses and determine the potential for peace negotiations in light of the ongoing conflict that has resulted in significant hardships for the Ukrainian populace.
Rubio expressed the United States’ intent to explore Ukraine’s willingness to discuss peace terms. He emphasized the need to consider concessions to end the conflict and alleviate further suffering, acknowledging the emotional toll on the Ukrainian people. He indicated that the discussions would involve understanding the positions of both Ukraine and Russia.
Zelenskyy will be accompanied by key members of his team, including Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, as he meets with U.S. representatives led by Rubio to deliberate the situation. Meanwhile, Europe is watching closely, having recently strengthened its defensive posture in response to shifts in U.S. policy on Ukraine.
White House special envoy Steve Witkoff stated that while there has been a pause on sharing U.S. intelligence for offensive actions, intelligence relevant to defense remains accessible to Ukraine. According to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, there may be opportunities to resume intelligence-sharing during the talks in Saudi Arabia.
In summary, President Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia marks a significant diplomatic effort to collaborate with U.S. officials on military aid and peace talks with Russia. The presence of key Ukrainian officials alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscores the commitment to addressing the ongoing conflict’s complexities. The successful outcome of these discussions could potentially pave the way for restoring vital intelligence-sharing agreements and lead towards meaningful peace negotiations.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
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