Zelenskyy to Engage in Talks with Saudi Crown Prince Amid Ukraine Conflict
Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before Ukrainian and U.S. officials meet to discuss ending the Ukraine war. Tensions have escalated after a stalled meeting with Trump, resulting in suspended aid to Kyiv. Future negotiations in Saudi Arabia may shape the path toward peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on Monday for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit precedes a subsequent meeting between Ukrainian and American officials aimed at addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to peace in his Telegram announcement.
In context, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has indicated that discussions are taking place regarding a peace agreement framework to resolve the three-year conflict with Russia. Meetings with Ukrainian officials are planned in Saudi Arabia next week following Zelenskyy’s visit.
Previously, Saudi Arabia facilitated a meeting between U.S. and Russian officials focused on finding a resolution for the Ukraine war and improving diplomatic relations. Pakistani leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, engaged with Russian counterparts in discussions. Ukraine was notably absent from this dialogue.
Tensions escalated following a recent meeting at the White House between President Trump and President Zelenskyy, aimed at promoting peace efforts, which ultimately yielded no progress. The anticipated signing of a U.S.-Ukraine agreement regarding rare earths was also disrupted.
In the aftermath of the stalemate, President Trump accused Zelenskyy of a lack of commitment to peace, leading to Washington’s suspension of military and financial aid to Kyiv. President Trump announced his intention to visit Saudi Arabia in the upcoming weeks.
Zelenskyy’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia marks an important step in Ukraine’s efforts to engage in peace talks amid ongoing conflict. Conversations with U.S. officials are anticipated thereafter to further address the matter. However, recent diplomatic tensions create uncertainty around progress, especially following the unsuccessful negotiations between Trump and Zelenskyy.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
