Washington/Kyiv - US-Ukraine relations are facing new challenges as the two nations prepare for peace talks in Saudi Arabia while also dealing with shifting US immigration policies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes for a “meaningful meeting” with US officials, while former President Donald Trump’s administration is considering revoking temporary legal status for thousands of Ukrainian refugees. These developments come amid ongoing military tensions with Russia and a pause in US military aid to Ukraine.
US-Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Rising Tensions
President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that US-Ukraine peace talks will be held in Saudi Arabia next week, though he will not be directly participating. The US delegation, led by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, aims to establish a framework for peace in Ukraine. However, relations between Washington and Kyiv have been tense following a public dispute between Zelensky and Trump at the White House, which resulted in a pause in US military aid and intelligence-sharing.
Zelensky has since attempted to mend ties, sending a letter to Trump expressing both regret and gratitude. The Ukrainian leader is under pressure from the US to make concessions in peace negotiations, while he continues to push for stronger security guarantees for Kyiv. Meanwhile, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have proposed a ceasefire in air and naval operations, though Russia has not publicly responded.
While Ukraine remains committed to seeking peace, fighting continues, with reports of a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Poland also scrambled fighter jets in response to the attack, highlighting the broader security concerns in the region.
Uncertainty for Ukrainian Refugees in the US
As diplomatic tensions rise, thousands of Ukrainian refugees in the US face uncertainty as the Trump administration considers revoking their temporary legal status. Trump indicated he would soon decide whether to strip protections from around 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the war. This move would be a major shift from the Biden administration’s open-door policy and could lead to fast-track deportations.
The potential rollback is part of a broader Trump administration effort to end temporary humanitarian parole programs, affecting over 1.8 million migrants from various countries. This includes 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, as well as tens of thousands of Afghans who assisted US forces during the war in Afghanistan.
Many Ukrainian refugees, like Liana Avetisian and her family, are now in limbo, with work permits and legal status set to expire soon. Ukrainian community leaders are urging refugees to understand their rights, while expressing concern that many have no homes to return to, as towns in Ukraine have been destroyed.
Meanwhile, Afghan allies of the US military are also facing deportation under the new policies. Rafi, a former Afghan intelligence officer who worked with American forces, was recently detained at an ICE office despite having an active asylum case. His lawyer’s appeal for release was denied, with officials stating that immigration priorities had changed following Trump’s inauguration.