Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is traveling to Riyadh to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of critical U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, focusing on ending the conflict with Russia. Despite U.S. military support, pressures mount for a quick cease-fire, although Moscow shows little interest in peace. Zelenskyy will not attend the Jeddah meetings and has proposed a peace plan, highlighting urgent diplomatic efforts amid escalating hostilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to travel to Riyadh on March 10 to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit takes place a day prior to important discussions between Ukrainian and U.S. delegations in Jeddah concerning the ongoing conflict with Russia.

As a crucial military ally, the U.S. is eager for a prompt resolution to the war and has commenced direct discussions with Moscow while halting military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The upcoming U.S.-Ukraine talks marks the first formal interaction following a disagreement on February 28 at the White House, during which Zelenskyy faced significant criticism.

Zelenskyy announced that he will not attend the talks in Jeddah, which will be represented by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. They are set to meet with a U.S. delegation including Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.

In a post on March 9, Zelenskyy emphasized his team’s commitment to constructive dialogue, stating, “On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps.” He hinted at presenting a peace proposal featuring an air and sea truce as an initial measure to end hostilities.

Meanwhile, pressures from Washington urge Zelenskyy to expedite peace negotiations with Russia; however, a U.S. security guarantee has yet to materialize. Despite this, Russia continues to intensify its military actions, recently claiming territorial gains in Ukraine and a resurgence in offensives against Ukrainian positions.

In a recent Fox News interview, Trump implied concerns regarding Ukraine’s ability to sustain itself even with U.S. support, stating, “Well, it may not survive anyway.” He reiterated that Zelenskyy had not adequately expressed gratitude for the assistance provided but acknowledged the Ukrainian leader’s attributes of being “smart” and “tough.”

In summary, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s imminent visit to Saudi Arabia underscores the urgency of addressing the ongoing conflict with Russia. With significant discussions on the horizon between U.S. and Ukrainian representatives, the outcome could have far-reaching impacts on future peace strategies. As pressures mount from Washington, the necessity of forging a cease-fire remains crucial amid Russia’s continued aggression.

Original Source: www.rferl.org

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