Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of discussions with United States officials over a potential deal to end Russia’s invasion, following recent fractures in the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.
Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a one-day visit before Ukrainian and U.S. delegations begin talks in Jeddah. The U.S. halted weapons supplies and intelligence support to Ukraine last week, after President Donald Trump accused Zelenskyy of being ungrateful in an argument in the Oval Office.
“Ukraine has been seeking peace since the very first second of the war, and we have always said that the only reason it continues is Russia,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Ukraine would have to cede territory to Russia under any peace deal. “The most important thing that we have to leave here with is a strong sense that Ukraine is prepared to do difficult things, like the Russians are going to have to do difficult things to end this conflict or at least pause it in some way, shape or form.”
The United Kingdom has been advising Ukraine ahead of the talks, with the U.K.’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell meeting with Zelenskyy over the weekend.
The U.S. also expects Zelenskyy will sign a minerals deal this week, with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff saying: “All the signs are very, very positive.”
The deal would give the U.S. rights to many of Ukraine’s natural resources, which include oil, coal, titanium, and lithium.
Trump reportedly also wants Zelenskyy to agree to potential territory concessions to Russia and consider stepping down as leader of Ukraine before the U.S. resumes its support, however.
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