US, Ukraine to hold talks in Saudi Arabia
(VOVWORLD) - US and Ukrainian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to try to improve their bilateral ties and look for ways to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
 US President Donald Trump (center) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet at the White House, Washington, D.C., February 28, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
US secretary of state Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz are leading the US delegation. The Ukrainian representatives are Andriy Yermak, a top Zelensky aide, foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, and defense minister Rustem Umerov. President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Saudi Arabia, but he will not attend the talks with US officials.
The talks in Jeddah will be the first high-level meeting between the US and Ukraine since the February 28 heated exchange between President Zelensky and President Trump and Vice President Vance at the White House, following which the planned signing of a mineral deal was canceled and the US administration suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks to reporters before leaving for Saudi Arabia on March 10, 2025. (Photo: AFP) |
Talking to the press before leaving for Saudi Arabia, Rubio underscored the need to figure out what they're willing to do by getting them to the table.
“We couldn't do that if the Ukrainians are saying that they're not interested. Now that's changed and hopefully that's true. So I think the opening is now there to see what's possible and it would be in the benefit of everyone, the Russian people, the people of Ukraine, the people in the US, and frankly European partners and allies, it would be to their benefits as well, if it comes to an end,” Rubio noted.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Russia expects Ukraine to show a desire for peace. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he is cautiously optimistic that the US and Ukraine will mend relations after the tense meeting at the White House.