The US and Ukraine are engaged in critical discussions in Saudi Arabia to end Russia’s invasion, following Ukraine’s largest drone attack on Moscow. The talks focus on exploring a ceasefire and security guarantees. As tensions mount, European allies are on alert and strategizing their support for Ukraine amidst concerns over US involvement.

The United States and Ukraine engaged in crucial discussions in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving Russia’s invasion, occurring shortly after Ukraine executed its largest drone attack of the conflict. This assault resulted in three deaths and approximately 18 injuries, with 343 drones launched towards Russia, targeting Moscow and its vicinity. In retaliation, Russia conducted a series of missile strikes against Ukrainian cities, exacerbating the ongoing hostilities.

Ukrainian officials presented a proposal for a ceasefire in both air and sea operations during the Jeddah talks, indicating that the recent drone strike serves as a stern message to President Vladimir Putin regarding the urgency of considering a ceasefire. “The largest drone attack in history was carried out on Moscow and the Moscow region,” stated Andriy Kovalenko, a Ukrainian national security council official.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, although not in attendance, expressed hope that these discussions would enhance US-Ukrainian relations following a recent contentious exchange between Zelensky and Donald Trump. Andriy Yermak, leading the Ukrainian delegation, described the talks as constructive yet still evolving. He emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to pursue peace actively.

American National Security Adviser Mike Waltz noted that the negotiations were progressing after several hours of dialogue, in light of the recent pause in US military assistance following the dispute at the White House. The bilateral minerals deal also remained undecided, with Trump linking it to ongoing US support for Ukraine.

The topic of security guarantees was highlighted by Yermak, who indicated a willingness to explore preliminary discussions surrounding this issue. Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, approached the discussions by prioritizing listening to Ukraine’s proposals without pre-conditions.

Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal aims to assess Moscow’s readiness for negotiations, addressing issues like safer shipping and long-range missile strikes. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov warned the Russian population against becoming overly optimistic about the situation, advocating a cautious approach while emphasizing a readiness to defend national interests.

European allies of Ukraine anxiously await the outcomes of the talks, as they prepare to ramp up defense spending should the US withdraw its support. Concurrently, military leaders from over 30 countries convened in Paris to strategize on establishing an international force post-ceasefire to deter future Russian aggression.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that discussions would occur in close consultation with NATO, with participation from nearly all NATO nations. France’s Defense Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, reaffirmed the integral role of Ukraine’s military as the primary security guarantee and called for no demilitarization efforts.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans warned that Putin’s ambitions extend beyond Ukraine, emphasizing the ongoing threat to Europe. He stated, “It’s time we let Putin wake up to the fact that his dreams do not match reality.” Meanwhile, Poland announced plans for a voluntary military training initiative to bolster its population’s defense capabilities amid the ongoing threat from Russia.

In summary, the US and Ukraine’s talks in Saudi Arabia are pivotal for addressing the ongoing conflict with Russia, particularly in light of Ukraine’s recent drone assaults. The discussions focus on potential ceasefire strategies and security guarantees, while European allies prepare for varied outcomes. The situation remains fluid, indicating the need for continued international collaboration to safeguard Ukraine amidst rising tensions.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk

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