Ukraine-U.S. Peace Talks Begin in Saudi Arabia Amid Largest Drone Attack on Russia/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ukraine and the U.S. began high-stakes peace talks in Saudi Arabia as Kyiv launched its largest drone attack on Russia, targeting 10 regions with 343 drones. Russia responded with 126 drones and a ballistic missile, escalating tensions. Trump’s administration paused U.S. military aid, pressuring Ukraine to negotiate a ceasefire. Special envoy Steve Witkoff may visit Moscow to meet Putin, while Ukraine proposes a Black Sea ceasefire and a rare earth minerals deal. The Kremlin demands Ukraine abandon NATO ambitions and cede occupied land, leaving a diplomatic breakthrough uncertain.
Ukraine Peace Talks and Drone Attack: Quick Looks
- Ukraine and U.S. begin negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, amid the biggest Ukrainian drone attack on Russia since the war began.
- Ukraine launched 343 drones, targeting 10 Russian regions, killing three people and injuring 18.
- Russia retaliated with 126 drones and a ballistic missile, hitting civilian areas in Ukraine.
- Trump’s administration suspended U.S. military aid to Ukraine, pressuring Kyiv to negotiate a ceasefire.
- Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to visit Moscow, potentially meeting with Vladimir Putin.
- Ukraine proposes a ceasefire covering the Black Sea and an agreement on rare earth minerals, which Trump seeks to secure.
- Kremlin insists on Ukraine dropping NATO ambitions and ceding occupied territories as conditions for peace.
Deep Look: Ukraine and U.S. Open Talks While Kyiv Strikes Russia With Record Drone Attack
Ukraine and U.S. Begin High-Stakes Peace Talks
Senior officials from Ukraine and the United States met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, marking the first high-level discussions on ending the war since Trump’s administration paused U.S. military aid.
“How to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is our top priority,” said Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak before the meeting.
The talks come amid tensions between Kyiv and Washington, following an Oval Office confrontation last month between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukraine’s Record-Breaking Drone Attack on Russia
Hours before the talks, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack to date, targeting 10 Russian regions with 343 drones.
- 126 drones were intercepted over Kursk, a border region partially controlled by Ukraine.
- 91 drones targeted Moscow, causing damage to residential buildings and cars.
- Flights at six Russian airports, including Moscow’s Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Vnukovo, were temporarily suspended.
Russia responded with 126 drones and a ballistic missile, striking civilian areas in Ukraine.
“The U.S. will inform Russia of the Jeddah talks’ outcomes,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, calling it “normal practice”.
Trump Administration’s Pressure on Ukraine
The U.S. delegation, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, did not present a specific peace plan but instead sought to gauge Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate.
“I think we want to listen to see how far they’re willing to go and compare that to what the Russians want,” Rubio told reporters.
Trump paused U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine last week, aiming to push Kyiv into negotiations.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to visit Moscow later this week, possibly meeting Vladimir Putin to discuss potential settlement terms.
Ukraine’s Peace Proposal: Ceasefire and Rare Earth Deal
During the talks, Ukraine proposed:
- A ceasefire in the Black Sea, ensuring safer shipping and reducing missile strikes.
- A rare earth minerals deal with the U.S., aligning with Trump’s push for domestic energy independence.
- A prisoner exchange agreement with Russia.
Rubio acknowledged the rare earths deal could be finalized soon, though it is not a precondition for peace negotiations.
“It may take time to negotiate the precise details,” Rubio said.
Russia’s Demands for Peace
The Kremlin remains firm on its conditions for ending the war, insisting that Ukraine must:
- Abandon its NATO aspirations.
- Recognize Russian sovereignty over occupied territories, which now account for nearly 20% of Ukraine’s land.
“The Kremlin has not publicly offered any concessions,” Russian officials stated.
Can These Talks Lead to a Breakthrough?
Despite the intense diplomatic maneuvering, both sides remain far apart on key issues:
- Ukraine seeks long-term security guarantees to prevent future Russian invasions.
- Russia continues its offensive in eastern Ukraine, keeping battlefield momentum despite heavy losses.
With Trump’s administration prioritizing diplomatic solutions, Ukraine may face increased pressure to compromise. However, the record-breaking drone attack suggests Kyiv remains committed to military resistance.
What’s Next?
As negotiations continue in Jeddah, all eyes are on Trump’s envoy’s trip to Moscow. If U.S.-Russia talks materialize, they could reshape the future of the conflict.
- If Ukraine secures a ceasefire, it may preserve territorial control but risk long-term security threats.
- If Trump restarts U.S. military aid, tensions with Russia could escalate further.
- If talks stall, the war could intensify, with Ukraine continuing deep strikes into Russian territory.
The outcome of these talks will have major global implications, affecting NATO, U.S.-Russia relations, and the stability of Eastern Europe.
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