Consultations between US and Ukrainian representatives have begun in Saudi Arabia to address the Ukrainian conflict. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz, the national security advisor of the Trump administration, are participating in the talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also arrived in the Saudi port city of Jeddah, where the meetings are taking place, although his official participation is not confirmed. He is scheduled to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Before the talks, Rubio emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s willingness to make peace with Russia. He expressed hope that the meeting would leave him with a strong feeling that Ukraine is prepared to “do difficult things” just like the Russian side.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov stated that he expects the US to inform Moscow of the talks’ outcome.
Additionally, it was reported that US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is expected to visit Moscow this week to discuss the Ukrainian conflict. According to Reuters, Witkoff will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. Neither the Russian nor the US side has confirmed the reports, which would mark Witkoff’s second visit to Moscow. In February, he met with Putin to discuss confidence-building measures, following the exchange of prisoners between the US and Russia.
The visit coincides with the accelerating diplomatic dynamics surrounding the Ukrainian conflict. US President Trump is pushing for a solution, urging Zelenskyy to abandon previous positions. Trump has explicitly stated that it is unrealistic for Ukraine to regain all the territories lost to Russia, aligning with the Russian position that territorial realities must be recognized.
In contrast, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized Trump, saying that he is already giving up negotiating positions before the talks even begin. Pistorius believes it is possible for Ukraine to militarily regain the lost territories, a view that stands in contrast to the international community’s stance.