Ukraine and the U.S. have initiated high-stakes talks in Saudi Arabia to address the ongoing war with Russia, occurring hours after Russia intercepted a major drone attack. Ukrainian officials aim to discuss ceasefire proposals and security guarantees while seeking to mend ties with U.S. leadership following prior diplomatic tensions.

High-stakes discussions have commenced between senior representatives from Ukraine and the United States regarding the resolution of Kyiv’s ongoing conflict with Moscow. These talks took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, shortly after a significant drone attack in which Russian air defenses intercepted 337 Ukrainian drones, resulting in two fatalities and injuries to 18 individuals, including children, across ten regions of Russia.

In Jeddah, senior members of the Ukrainian delegation convened with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. While he displayed optimism for the discussions, the Ukrainian officials were notably more reserved in demeanor. Their primary focus, according to Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak, is to achieve “a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” emphasizing the importance of security guarantees to deter future aggression from Russia.

The foreign minister of Saudi Arabia participated in the discussions, which featured flags from the United States, Ukraine, and Saudi Arabia. However, officials abstained from addressing numerous inquiries from the press, and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the U.S. would relay meeting outcomes to Russia, a standard protocol.

These negotiations provide Ukraine with an opportunity to mend ties with the Trump administration following previous diplomatic tensions during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington. Furthermore, Ukraine is keen on persuading the U.S. to lift its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing, contingent upon positive developments in the talks.

Ukrainian officials have indicated plans to suggest a ceasefire covering the Black Sea, which would enhance maritime security and address the humanitarian impact of missile strikes on civilians. Additionally, there are discussions pertaining to a potential agreement on access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, which holds significant interest for U.S. President Trump.

Secretary Rubio noted that the U.S. delegation is eager to understand Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate, stating, “I’m not going to set any conditions on what they have to or need to do.” He suggested that while discussions regarding the rare earths agreement could take place, it would not serve as a prerequisite for engaging with either Ukraine or Russia.

Currently, Russia has maintained its military pressure, capturing a substantial portion of Ukrainian territory since the onset of the conflict. Although they have expressed a conditional willingness to cease hostilities, their demands include Ukraine’s renunciation of NATO aspirations and recognition of occupied regions as Russian territory.

Recent military engagements have seen Ukrainian drones penetrate deep into Russian territory, with significant interceptions reported over Moscow and surrounding regions. The Russian Defense Ministry detailed that most drones were neutralized before reaching their targets, although some property damage occurred, prompting brief flight restrictions at several airports in the capital area.

In summary, the ongoing talks between Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia represent a pivotal moment for addressing the prolonged conflict with Russia. Key points include discussions on a potential ceasefire, access to rare earth minerals, and the need for security guarantees. While optimism exists within the U.S. delegation, the situation remains fluid as both sides assess their positions and objectives amidst ongoing military engagements.

Original Source: nationalpost.com

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