Jeddah, March 11 (Alliance News): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, just a day before key negotiations between Ukrainian and US officials.
Washington has expressed hopes for substantial progress toward ending the ongoing war with Russia.
The United States, once Ukraine’s primary ally, has shifted its wartime stance, halting military aid and intelligence-sharing while engaging directly with Moscow to push for a swift resolution.
Amid these changes, Kyiv is attempting to maintain “pragmatic” relations with Washington following last month’s tense Oval Office meeting between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.
Saudi Arabia, which has played a mediating role since Russia’s 2022 invasion, is set to host the crucial talks on Tuesday.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism, stating, “We expect to make substantial progress.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also echoed this sentiment, noting that further discussions were needed regarding a proposed minerals deal between Kyiv and Washington.
Under mounting pressure from Trump, Zelensky has sought to align with Washington’s new approach despite failing to secure security guarantees. He will not attend Tuesday’s discussions personally but has dispatched a delegation comprising top Ukrainian officials, including his foreign and defense ministers.
While Ukraine has called for a temporary air and sea truce and a prisoner exchange, Moscow has rejected the proposal, viewing it as a stalling tactic.
Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its offensive, launching over 1,200 aerial bombs and nearly 870 drone strikes in the past week, according to Zelensky.
As US support for Ukraine remains uncertain, Kyiv is turning to European allies for additional military assistance.
The battlefield situation remains dire, with Russian forces advancing in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region and pressuring Ukrainian troops near Kursk.
