High-level U.S.-Ukraine Talks Set for Wednesday in Riyadh/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia next Wednesday in a critical diplomatic effort to discuss a potential ceasefire with Russia and resolve the fallout from last week’s Trump-Zelensky confrontation. The meeting follows U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh two weeks ago, which frustrated Ukrainian officials who were excluded from the discussions. The White House delegation, led by national security adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will meet Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak. Ahead of the talks, Zelensky will visit Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underlining Riyadh’s role as a key mediator. The meeting is expected to address the suspension of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing, as well as the stalled U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal.
Key Takeaways
- High-level U.S.-Ukraine talks set for Wednesday in Riyadh.
- First meeting since Trump-Zelensky’s Oval Office clash.
- Suspended U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing remain unresolved.
- Zelensky to meet Saudi Crown Prince ahead of talks.
- Ukraine still open to signing halted U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal.
U.S. and Ukrainian Officials to Hold Critical Talks in Saudi Arabia
Tensions Remain High Following Trump-Zelensky Dispute
Senior officials from the United States and Ukraine will meet in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss a possible ceasefire with Russia, sources familiar with the matter confirmed.
The meeting marks the first major diplomatic engagement between the two nations since the highly publicized confrontation between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last week. That dispute led to the suspension of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, creating an unprecedented rift in relations.
Diplomatic Talks Move to Riyadh
The upcoming meeting follows a similar U.S.-Russia meeting in Riyadh two weeks ago, which left Ukrainian leaders frustrated and blindsided, as they were not invited and only learned about the talks from media reports.
“Ukraine and the U.S. have resumed work,” Zelensky said Thursday in Brussels. “We hope for a meaningful meeting next week.”
Who Will Attend?
- White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will represent the U.S.
- Steve Witkoff, the White House’s special envoy, is also expected to join.
- Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, will lead the Ukrainian delegation.
Ahead of the talks, Zelensky will visit Saudi Arabia on Monday and Tuesday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, signaling Riyadh’s growing role as a mediator in the war.
What’s at Stake?
The meeting in Riyadh is expected to focus on:
- Ceasefire negotiations with Russia.
- Potential resumption of U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
- U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement, which was put on hold after the Trump-Zelensky fallout.
Lingering Uncertainty
The White House and Yermak’s office declined to comment on the upcoming discussions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials remain open to signing the stalled U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, which had been set for finalization before the breakdown in talks.
Looking Ahead
With military aid frozen and tensions at an all-time high, the upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia could shape the next phase of U.S.-Ukraine relations and determine Kyiv’s future course in the war with Russia.
Would you like further analysis on Saudi Arabia’s role as a mediator, or details on how the minerals deal fits into U.S.-Ukraine relations?
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