U.S. and Ukrainian officials began discussions in Saudi Arabia regarding a partial ceasefire plan with Russia, focusing on halting missile strikes and a Black Sea truce. President Zelenskyy hopes for practical outcomes, while U.S. Secretary of State Rubio seeks to address pauses in aid and discuss potential concessions from Ukraine. Although the mineral deal was mentioned, it is not a primary focus of the discussions.

On Tuesday, U.S. and Ukrainian officials commenced discussions in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine is anticipated to unveil a partial ceasefire proposal involving Russia. This proposed plan aims to cease long-range missile strikes and establish a truce in the Black Sea region. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not attend the talks; Ukraine was represented by key officials including Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Ahead of the meetings, President Zelenskyy expressed hopes for tangible outcomes via a post on X. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz led the American delegation as part of President Trump’s initiative to swiftly conclude the ongoing conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in early 2022. Rubio indicated the U.S. aims to address the current pause in aid and comprehend the potential concessions from Ukraine.

Rubio emphasized that the U.S. is currently receiving defensive intelligence on Ukraine’s situation, asserting, “What happens tomorrow will be key to that.” He clarified that the discussions would not focus on border delineations but rather on feasible concessions from Ukraine, underlining that a military resolution is unavailable and necessitating difficult decisions from both Russia and Ukraine.

In parallel discussions, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Rubio, and a separate meeting with President Zelenskyy occurred earlier. Moreover, Trump has expressed interest in linking military assistance to access to Ukraine’s natural resources, which include critical minerals vital to the U.S. economy. Rubio, however, affirmed that a mineral agreement was not the central focus of the discussions.

Rubio acknowledged that although securing a minerals deal is significant, it is secondary to the talks’ main agenda. He also recognized the constructive involvement of France and Britain in Ukraine-related negotiations. His recent visit marks a continuation of diplomatic efforts in the region, with plans for further engagements in Canada with G7 foreign ministers.

In summary, the U.S. and Ukraine are engaged in critical discussions aimed at establishing a partial ceasefire with Russia, seeking practical outcomes from the negotiations. Key U.S. officials are focused on understanding Ukraine’s potential concessions while addressing existing pauses in aid. Although minerals negotiations have surfaced as a topic of interest, they remain a secondary priority amid broader peace efforts. This dialogue emphasizes the ongoing international commitment to resolving the conflict and the importance of collaborative efforts from allied nations.

Original Source: www.voanews.com

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