Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is traveling to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of vital US-Ukraine talks aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy will not participate in these discussions but emphasized the commitment to a constructive dialogue, proposing a peace plan. The situation remains tense as Russia intensifies its military actions, and the US maintains pressure for a rapid resolution.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to travel to Riyadh on March 10 to engage in discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit precedes critical negotiations between Ukrainian and US delegations in Jeddah, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia that has persisted for three years.
The United States, a prominent military supporter of Ukraine, seeks a prompt resolution to the war and intends to engage in direct discussions with Moscow while halting military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The upcoming US-Ukrainian talks on March 11 represent the first formal meeting since a contentious encounter between President Zelenskyy, US President Trump, and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office on February 28, during which the Ukrainian leader faced admonishment and was asked to leave.
President Zelenskyy has publicly stated that he will not participate in the Jeddah negotiations. The Ukrainian delegation is expected to comprise Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. They will engage with a US delegation likely to include Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who departed for Saudi Arabia on March 9.
In a statement posted on March 9, President Zelenskyy expressed his commitment to productive discussions, saying, “On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps.” He asserted that realistic proposals will be under consideration, emphasizing the importance of swift and effective actions.
Kyiv is anticipated to propose a peace plan articulated by Zelenskyy, which stipulates an air and sea truce as an initial measure. Despite significant pressure from Washington for a rapid agreement on a cease-fire with Russia, there has been no confirmation of US security guarantees. Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its offensive actions in Ukraine and has reportedly made territorial gains.
On March 9, Trump speculated that Ukraine might struggle to prevail against Russian forces even with US backing. He defended his stance of reducing support for Ukraine in an interview with Fox News, asserting, “Well, it may not survive anyway.” Additionally, Trump remarked on Zelenskyy’s demeanor, calling him “smart” and “tough,” but suggested he was not sufficiently appreciative of US assistance.
The Russian Defense Ministry has announced the regaining of several villages in the Kursk region as well as advances in eastern Ukraine, raising concerns over the encirclement of Ukrainian troops amid escalating military hostilities.
In summary, President Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia is crucial as it leads into significant discussions aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite mounting pressure to achieve a cease-fire, the lack of US security guarantees complicates the situation. The recent remarks by former President Trump cast further doubt on Ukraine’s position in the war against Russia, while Russia continues to assert military advancements in the region.
Original Source: www.rferl.org
