Negotiations in Saudi Arabia: U.S. and Ukraine Discuss War Strategies

In the wake of a public dispute between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump, representatives from Ukraine and the United States are convening in Saudi Arabia to discuss the ongoing conflict. The primary focus of these discussions is expected to center around the potential for Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia in an effort to achieve a resolution to the war. Additionally, the U.S. aims to finalize an agreement with Ukraine related to the exploitation of domestic natural resources.

While President Zelensky is present in Saudi Arabia, he has opted not to participate directly in the talks with U.S. officials. The Ukrainian delegation includes key figures such as Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the American side, accompanied by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

In anticipation of the meetings, Trump expressed optimism about the potential for significant progress, a sentiment echoed by Rubio and Witkoff, who indicated that their presence signifies a commitment to finding solutions.

Rubio emphasized the necessity for Ukraine to demonstrate a willingness to consider concessions, aligning with the previously proposed peace negotiations with Russia. He noted that he would not impose conditions on Ukraine but intends to understand their positions and how they compare to Russia's. The critical issue at hand is whether Ukraine is prepared to undertake challenging decisions, similar to those required of Russia, to bring an end to the conflict.

Recognizing the difficulty Ukraine faces in discussing concessions, Rubio stated that it is a vital step towards ending the suffering caused by the war. He highlighted the absence of a military solution, indicating that complete Russian occupation of Ukraine is not feasible, and Ukraine faces challenges in pushing Russian forces back to their 2014 borders.

In return for any potential concessions, Zelensky is advocating for U.S. security guarantees, a request that Trump has thus far been reluctant to fulfill. The Ukrainian president has assured a constructive approach to the negotiations, expressing hope for tangible outcomes. He proposed that a confidence-building measure could involve the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children to their homeland, which he believes would facilitate trust in diplomatic efforts.

Both Zelensky and Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia prior to the talks, meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Although there are no formal plans for a meeting between Zelensky and Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State did not rule out the possibility of an informal discussion.

The ongoing conflict has seen Ukraine defending itself against Russian aggression for over three years, supported by the U.S. and EU allies. However, the situation has deteriorated since the recent public fallout in the White House, during which Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance admonished Zelensky on camera, accusing him of ingratitude and a lack of commitment to peace.

The Ukrainian leadership has recently supported a French initiative for a partial ceasefire regarding aerial and naval assaults. Conversely, Trump is advocating for a swift end to the war, insisting upon a quick and comprehensive ceasefire followed by elections, which are currently prohibited under Ukrainian law during wartime.

While Russia has indicated a willingness to negotiate, it continues to assert maximum demands, with Trump often echoing Russian positions, including opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership.

Simultaneously, discussions among military leaders from Ukraine's supporting nations are taking place in Paris, focusing on the potential deployment of peacekeeping troops. This meeting, organized by President Macron, aims to explore how the presence of soldiers could secure any future peace agreement. Germany is represented by the Chief Inspector of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, with participation also from the UK and Poland. The discussions are based on plans put forth by France and the UK for European peacekeeping forces, which would serve as part of the security guarantees for Ukraine.