U.S. and Ukrainian officials are negotiating a ceasefire plan in Saudi Arabia, focusing on a truce and military aid. Key representatives include Andriy Yermak and Marco Rubio who emphasizes listening to potential Ukrainian concessions. Discussions on Ukraine’s mineral resources are secondary to ceasefire negotiations, as the conflict requires difficult compromises from both parties.
On Tuesday, U.S. and Ukrainian officials commenced discussions in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine is expected to present a partial ceasefire plan regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia. This plan aims to halt long-range missile strikes and establish a truce in the Black Sea region. Key representatives included Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and military commander Pavlo Palisa, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not attend the meeting.
Ahead of the discussions, President Zelenskyy expressed hopes for practical results via X. Leading the U.S. delegation were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, amidst President Donald Trump’s initiative for a swift resolution to the war that commenced with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Rubio articulated that the U.S. is currently in a listening mode to ascertain potential concessions from Ukraine.
“The Ukrainians are already receiving all defensive intelligence information as we speak,” Rubio remarked, emphasizing the need to resolve the pause in aid. He highlighted that the future discussions would not involve rigid plans but rather a general understanding of feasible concessions on both sides. He further stated there is no military solution to the conflict, necessitating sacrifices from both Russia and Ukraine.
Following these discussions, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held meetings with Rubio and previously with Zelenskyy, focusing on the evolving diplomatic relations. Trump suggested that military aid could be linked to access to Ukraine’s substantial mineral resources, which include rare earth elements critical for U.S. national defense. However, Rubio underscored that negotiating access to mineral resources was not the primary agenda of the talks.
“It’s an important topic, but it’s not the main topic on the agenda,” Rubio clarified, noting that more detailed negotiations were still necessary. He acknowledged the positive contributions of Britain and France in the dialogues but confirmed there were no discussions regarding China’s involvement in Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction. This visit marks Rubio’s second trip to Saudi Arabia since taking office, and he plans to proceed to Canada for talks with G7 foreign ministers.
The discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials aim to pave the way for a potential ceasefire and address military aid issues while exploring Ukraine’s mineral resources. The involvement of key figures such as Secretary Rubio indicates a complex diplomatic approach to resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia. As the talks advance, it remains crucial that both sides consider feasible concessions for lasting peace.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
