Zelensky Seeks Saudi Support After Dispute with Trump Amid Ukraine Crisis
Ukrainian President Zelensky is in Saudi Arabia seeking support following a contentious meeting with Trump that affected Ukraine-U.S. relations. He met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss Saudi Arabia’s role in peace efforts as negotiations continue between Ukraine and the U.S. amid increasing Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Saudi Arabia seeking support after a contentious meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. In Jeddah, he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to peace initiatives regarding the Ukrainian crisis. This meeting coincides with important upcoming discussions between Ukrainian and U.S. officials, following a February 28 incident at the White House that impacted Ukraine’s mineral resource agreement with the U.S.
Saudi Arabia has played a mediating role since the onset of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, facilitating peace talks and exchanges between conflicting parties. In contrast to Washington’s shifting focus towards negotiating with Moscow, Saudi Arabia remains a staunch supporter of Ukraine’s sovereignty. Zelensky expressed gratitude to Riyadh for its global influence and efforts to assist Ukraine.
Following the diplomatic tensions with Trump, Ukraine is pursuing more pragmatic relations with the U.S. Despite the Oval Office confrontation, where Trump publicly criticized Zelensky, the latter managed to apologize and reiterated the importance of ending the war swiftly. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has adopted a cautious approach, emphasizing that the success of negotiations does not solely depend on the mineral resources agreement.
In a notable shift, Zelensky decided to delegate the upcoming talks to his chief of staff and key ministers instead of attending personally, underlining the urgency for effective and realistic proposals. U.S. officials aim to determine whether Ukraine is willing to make concessions to Russia for peace, raising questions about Ukraine’s intentions regarding a feasible peace settlement.
In light of Russia’s increased military operations, with air attacks intensifying in various regions of Ukraine, discussions revolve around establishing a ceasefire and a potential prisoner exchange. Meanwhile, Zelensky is also rallying support from European allies as Ukraine grapples with the precariousness of its defense capabilities amid intensified Russian aggression.
Negotiations are set to focus on designing steps towards a peace agreement, with expectations for progress heightened despite the ongoing conflict. The complexity of the situation requires agility and decisive action from all parties involved as they seek paths to resolution amidst mounting challenges.
In summary, President Zelensky’s visit to Saudi Arabia represents a strategic effort to seek support following a troubled interaction with President Trump. With escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Zelensky aims to establish pragmatic ties with the U.S. while advocating for urgent peace discussions. The complexities of the negotiations are compounded by the ongoing military conflicts, necessitating firm commitments from both Ukraine and its allies. Saudi Arabia’s role as mediator remains crucial as Ukraine seeks to bolster its defense amid Russian advancements.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
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