U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Ukrainian officials in Jeddah to gauge their commitment to a realistic peace process. Accompanied by key officials, discussions will focus on Ukraine’s willingness to compromise for peace, amid Russian advances and calls for strength in negotiations. Trump’s comments suggest a conditional approach to a minerals deal tied to Ukraine’s peace efforts.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Jeddah for discussions with Ukrainian officials, led by Andriy Yermak, a senior aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Accompanying him will be National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and former Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The key objective of these talks is to evaluate Ukraine’s commitment to achieving a realistic peace agreement.
U.S. officials have indicated that a genuine desire for peace should be accompanied by a willingness to make compromises. It was emphasized that if Ukraine maintains a rigid stance focused solely on pre-2014 or 2022 borders, it could indicate a lack of genuine interest in a practical resolution to the conflict.
Former President Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding the progress that could be made in these talks. He remarked, “We’re going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week,” showcasing a hopeful outlook for the forthcoming negotiations.
European allies of Ukraine argue that a peace deal with Russia should only be pursued from a position of strength. Zelenskiy has consistently maintained that President Vladimir Putin does not genuinely seek peace and has warned that a failure to decisively defeat Russia may lead to further aggression against other European nations.
In February, U.S. officials conducted separate talks with Russian representatives in Riyadh to restart communication that had waned under the previous administration. However, Trump has shown frustration with Ukraine’s situation, suggesting the need for Kyiv to urgently engage in negotiations with Russia, citing a depletion of resources and manpower.
Current U.S. policies have seen reductions in military support and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Critics argue that such actions may prolong the conflict by emboldening Russia and complicating the prospects for a fair peace settlement. Russian military advancements in eastern Ukraine have continued, adding urgency to discussions of a ceasefire.
On a more positive note, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes highlighted the improvements in U.S.-Ukraine relations since Zelenskiy’s meeting with Trump in February. This optimistic tone was reiterated ahead of the Saudi talks, hoping for fruitful outcomes that could lead to the cessation of hostilities.
Witkoff has publicly indicated a desire to create a framework for an eventual ceasefire and peace agreement. Additionally, there is an ongoing negotiation concerning a minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, centered on security guarantees connected to U.S. access to Ukrainian mineral resources.
The signing of the minerals deal, initially planned during Zelenskiy’s visit to Washington, remains unfulfilled due to previous tensions. However, both parties are reportedly eager to finalize this agreement, contingent upon demonstrated commitment to peace from Ukraine. Trump noted, “They will sign the minerals deal but I want them to want peace… They haven’t shown it to the extent they should.”
In conclusion, U.S.-Ukraine discussions in Jeddah aim to assess Ukraine’s readiness for a realistic peace process amid ongoing conflict with Russia. With key officials from the U.S. government and Trump’s assertive stance on Ukrainian negotiation strategies, the outcome may impact both military dynamics and diplomatic relations in the region. The looming minerals deal underscores the intertwined nature of security and economic interests in the negotiations.
Original Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
