Zelenskyy Meets Saudi Crown Prince Before Critical US-Ukraine Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on March 10 prior to US-Ukraine talks in Jeddah on March 11. The discussions aim to address the three-year conflict with Russia. Despite US pressure, Zelenskyy is not participating in the talks, focusing instead on a peace proposal that includes a truce. Challenges remain as Russia intensifies its military actions and skepticism about Ukraine’s survival increases.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Riyadh on March 10 for discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit precedes critical negotiations on March 11 in Jeddah between Ukrainian and US delegations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for three years.
The United States, Ukraine’s primary military ally, is pursuing a rapid end to the conflict, engaging directly with Moscow while halting military aid to Ukraine. The upcoming talks will mark the first formal engagement since a contentious meeting in the Oval Office on February 28, where Zelenskyy faced significant criticism from US officials.
Zelenskyy will not participate in the Jeddah talks; however, his delegation will include Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The US team is anticipated to comprise Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
In a social media update on March 9, Zelenskyy emphasized the commitment to constructive dialogue, stating, “Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively.” Kyiv is expected to propose a peace outline featuring an air and sea truce as an initial measure.
Despite pressure from Washington to negotiate a ceasefire with Russia, Zelenskyy faces challenges as Moscow shows no inclination towards ending hostilities. The Russian military has intensified its assaults on Ukraine and reportedly made territorial gains recently.
On the same day, Trump expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s survival amid the ongoing war, suggesting that even with US support, it may falter. He reiterated his belief that Zelenskyy was not sufficiently appreciative of US assistance but acknowledged him as “smart” and “tough.” Concurrently, the Russian Defense Ministry declared the recapture of multiple locations, including several villages in the Kursk region and other areas in eastern Ukraine, indicating potential encirclement of Ukrainian forces.
Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia underscores the urgent diplomatic efforts surrounding the US-Ukraine negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia. The backdrop of intensified hostilities and the US’s hesitance to fully guarantee Ukrainian security complicates these discussions. As pressure mounts, Zelenskyy’s focus on realistic proposals for a ceasefire will be crucial in seeking a resolution amid a challenging geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.rferl.org
