Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will visit Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discuss ending the war in Ukraine. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is also negotiating a peace agreement framework. Recent talks in Saudi Arabia did not include Ukraine. A prior meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy ended without progress, leading to the suspension of U.S. assistance to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday to engage in discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. His statement, shared via the Telegram messaging app, emphasized Ukraine’s strong interest in achieving peace. Following this meeting, Zelenskyy’s team plans to collaborate with American representatives to explore pathways to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In coordination with these efforts, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, indicated ongoing discussions with Ukraine regarding a peace agreement framework aimed at concluding the three-year conflict with Russia. An additional meeting of Ukrainian officials is scheduled in Saudi Arabia next week to further these negotiations.
Recently, Saudi Arabia facilitated talks between senior U.S. and Russian officials aimed at addressing the Ukraine conflict and improving diplomatic relations. This meeting involved U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Witkoff, alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov; however, Ukraine was not included in these discussions.
A previous meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy resulted in a stalemate, failing to make headway on peace initiatives. The anticipated signing of an agreement regarding U.S.-Ukraine collaborations on rare earth minerals was likewise overshadowed by rising tensions, with Trump accusing Zelenskyy of insufficient commitment to peace.
Subsequently, Washington suspended all military and financial assistance to Kyiv, including intelligence support, amid the ensuing dispute. President Trump conveyed plans to visit Saudi Arabia in the near future, signaling continued interest in international diplomacy.
In summary, President Zelenskyy’s imminent visit to Saudi Arabia marks a significant step in efforts to engage in peace negotiations regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. The collaboration with American officials highlights Ukraine’s commitment to finding a resolution, even as political tensions persist between national leaders. The recent discussions in Saudi Arabia further emphasize ongoing international efforts to mediate this complex conflict, despite previous setbacks in negotiations.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
