Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed hope for "practical outcomes" from Tuesday's negotiations between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia. Speaking ahead of the talks, Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine’s position would be "fully constructive" and focused on security guarantees and steps toward ending Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Zelenskiy met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah before the talks, with a significant portion of their discussions centered on Ukraine’s security concerns. Saudi Arabia, which has played a mediating role in the conflict, reiterated its support for international efforts to resolve the crisis, according to Saudi state news agency SPA.
The negotiations in Saudi Arabia come at a critical time, as the United States has recently shifted its approach to the conflict. The Biden administration has engaged directly with Moscow while suspending military assistance and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. Facing this new reality, Kyiv has sought a pragmatic relationship with Washington following a contentious Oval Office meeting last month between Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Tuesday’s talks mark the first official session between U.S. and Ukrainian officials since that meeting. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, expressed optimism about the negotiations, stating, "I think that we're going over there with an expectation that we're going to make substantial progress." He also hinted at the possibility of Zelenskiy returning to the U.S. to finalize a minerals deal, which could be crucial for securing American support.
However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio took a more cautious stance, emphasizing that several details still needed to be addressed regarding the minerals deal. He noted that progress could be achieved even without signing an accord and stressed the importance of evaluating Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions for peace.
Under intense pressure from Trump, Zelenskiy has been eager to demonstrate Ukraine's commitment to ending the war, despite failing to secure U.S. security guarantees. While he is not attending the talks himself, Ukraine’s delegation includes his chief of staff, foreign and defense ministers, and a top military official.
"On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps," Zelenskiy wrote on X, emphasizing the importance of moving quickly and effectively with "realistic proposals on the table."
U.S. officials indicated that a key objective of the meeting is to assess whether Ukraine is willing to make material concessions to Russia as part of a peace process. A senior U.S. official remarked, "We want to see if the Ukrainians are interested not just in peace, but in a realistic peace."
Trump, speaking ahead of the talks, expressed optimism, saying that Washington had "just about" ended the suspension of intelligence sharing with Kyiv. Rubio confirmed that Ukraine was already receiving U.S. defensive intelligence and suggested that Tuesday’s discussions could be pivotal in resolving broader aid concerns.
On the eve of the negotiations, Russia launched air strikes on Kyiv and other regions, with Ukraine’s air force warning of missile threats.
The discussions in Jeddah are also expected to outline a potential framework for a peace agreement, including an initial ceasefire. Witkoff noted that the aim was to "get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well."
Zelenskiy has proposed a truce both in the air and at sea, along with a prisoner exchange, as a test of Russia’s commitment to ending the war. However, Moscow has rejected any temporary truce, dismissing it as an attempt to buy time for Ukraine’s military.
Meanwhile, Kyiv is prepared to sign a minerals deal with Washington, creating a joint fund from the sale of Ukrainian minerals. The U.S. sees this agreement as crucial for maintaining continued American backing.
With U.S. support uncertain, Zelenskiy has turned to European allies for increased assistance as Ukraine faces worsening battlefield conditions. Russian forces are advancing in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region, while also ramping up drone and missile attacks on civilian areas. Zelenskiy reported that Russia has launched 1,200 aerial guided bombs, nearly 870 attack drones, and over 80 missiles in the past week alone.
As Ukraine navigates these diplomatic challenges, the outcome of the Jeddah talks will be closely watched for indications of progress toward a resolution to the war.