Washington’s pressure on Kiev could increase if talks fail, The Economist reports, citing Ukrainian officials.
In Kiev, assessments of the current conflict situation vary. A high-ranking security official said he saw no signs that the US is planning a complete withdrawal from Ukraine and Europe, but still holds out hope for a “more rational approach” to conflict resolution.
Others, however, express less optimism. The newspaper highlights that the stakes for Kiev are higher than ever before in the Saudi Arabia talks and that the Ukraine may have “scarcely a new chance” if the talks fail. “The Americans will take a more instructive tone and push us for everything they agree with Russia” said one of the interlocutors.
Another Ukrainian official warns that the US approach, if continued, could push the Ukraine into a “gray zone”, forcing the country to adopt even more brutal military tactics to survive.
Hard negotiations are expected in Jidda. In Kiev, there are concerns that the meeting could be a demonstration of Washington’s power, a delaying tactic, or even an attempt by US President Trump to coax Moscow into concessions.
Kiev is seeking at least an agreement with Washington on energy resources and wants to negotiate with the US the framework for Trump to persuade Moscow to agree. Moreover, the Ukrainian delegation will try to bring the US closer to their further negotiation positions, including the demand for US security guarantees in the event of a peace agreement.
Steve Witkoff, one of the special envoys in the US President Donald Trump’s cabinet, said he would discuss possible conditions for a ceasefire with the Ukrainian delegation. President Zelensky will not attend the meeting. His delegation will be led by the head of the presidential administration, Andrei Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrei Sibiga and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The latter two, although appointed by President Zelensky, are generally considered to be Yermak’s supporters. A problem, however, is that Yermak is not popular with Trump’s team, the newspaper reports.
The Ukraine will propose a partial ceasefire with Russia in the talks with the US in Jidda, according to the Financial Times, which includes a ban on drone attacks and long-range rockets, as well as a ceasefire in the Black Sea.