Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is in Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ahead of a summit with U.S. officials. His team aims to rectify relations following a previous problematic meeting in Washington. The discussions will focus on military aid and support from the U.S. amidst ongoing European skepticism regarding diplomacy efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday, where he plans to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of a summit with the United States diplomatic team. The purpose of this visit is to mitigate the consequences of Zelenskyy’s earlier meeting in Washington, which had escalated into a dispute involving President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. At stake are crucial military and intelligence aids from the United States that have been instrumental for Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in 2022.
Saudi state media confirmed Zelenskyy’s arrival in Jeddah, where the upcoming Ukraine-U.S. summit is scheduled to take place on Tuesday. Following the conclusion of daily Ramadan fast, Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Concurrently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also traveling to Jeddah, although it seems unlikely he will have a direct meeting with Zelenskyy. Rubio, however, is set to engage with the Crown Prince as well.
Zelenskyy has organized a team comprising key officials, including Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, to participate in the discussions on Tuesday. Rubio will lead the American delegation. Should an agreeable understanding be reached between Ukraine and the U.S., it could potentially expedite the Trump administration’s progress towards initiating peace talks. Nonetheless, skepticism persists across Europe, given its recent exclusion from the negotiations.
In response to changes in U.S. policy regarding Ukraine, the European Union has recently pledged to enhance its defenses and allocate hundreds of billions of euros for security initiatives, reflecting growing concerns in the region.
In summary, President Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen relations with the U.S. and address military support crucial for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict with Russia. As his team prepares for discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the outcome of these negotiations may significantly influence future peace efforts. Furthermore, European skepticism underscores the complexities of international diplomatic engagements surrounding this issue.
Original Source: www.clickorlando.com
