Ukraine set for crucial US talks on war with Russia

March 11 ------ Zelensky said he would meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country's de facto leader, after which his team "will stay for a meeting with the American team." At the talks in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has said Washington wants "to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well."

Zelensky has said Ukraine is "fully committed to constructive dialogue," but wants its interests to be "taken into account in the right way." "We hope for results, both in terms of bringing peace closer and continuing support," he said in his evening address on Sunday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will fly to Jeddah on Monday, the US State Department said. Mike Waltz, US President Donald Trump's national security adviser, has also confirmed his participation.

'In constant contact'

Zelensky said his negotiators would include Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, his chief of staff Andriy Yermak, and Pavlo Palisa, a military commander and Yermak's deputy. Kyiv is in "constant contact with the US team," the Ukrainian leader said.

Washington has currently suspended military aid to Ukraine, as well as intelligence sharing and access to satellite imagery in a bid to force it to the table with Moscow, which launched its all-out invasion in February 2022 on orders from President Vladimir Putin.

Trump has renewed communication with Putin and criticized Zelenskyy, raising fears in Kyiv and among European allies that the US leader may try to force Ukraine to accept a settlement favoring Russia. Last Friday, however, Trump said he was considering further sanctions on Russia for "pounding" Ukraine on the battlefield. Ukraine's European allies last week held a summit with Zelensky and announced they would increase defense spending significantly. The United Kingdom and France have proposed a truce for Ukraine, at sea and in the air, and a halt to Russia's bombardment of its neighbor's power facilities. Ukrainian and British diplomats held talks in the capital Kyiv over the weekend, Zelensky said.

Disastrous meeting

The Saudi talks come after the public altercation between Zelensky and Trump in the White House led to the Ukrainian leaving without signing a minerals deal demanded by the US leader. Zelensky later called the incident "regrettable" and said he was ready to work with Trump's "strong leadership." He also expressed readiness to sign the deal on strategic mineral reserves.

Witkoff said Trump received a letter from Zelenskyy, calling it "a very positive first step" and "an apology." Asked if Ukraine would sign the deal in Saudi Arabia, Witkoff said: "I think Zelensky has offered to sign it, and we'll see if he follows through."

Source: manilatimes.net