Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to present the United States with a proposal for a partial ceasefire with Russia on Tuesday. This plan aims to regain the support of the US, which, under former President Donald Trump, has been seeking concessions to end the ongoing three-year conflict.
The talks, which are taking place in Saudi Arabia, come as Russia has escalated attacks on Ukraine. In retaliation, Kyiv launched a drone strike on Moscow, with the city’s mayor confirming dozens of drones intercepted.
This high-level meeting follows a tense White House visit last month, where President Zelensky faced criticism from Trump over alleged ingratitude. Since that incident, the US has suspended military aid to Ukraine, as well as intelligence sharing and satellite access, in an attempt to pressure Kyiv into negotiations.
Zelensky, who had sent a conciliatory letter to Trump after the encounter, will not be present at the talks in Jeddah, instead leaving the discussions to three senior aides. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside Trump’s national security advisor Mike Waltz, hopes the suspension of aid will be addressed during these talks. Rubio emphasized that the US has not cut off intelligence for defensive operations.
In the wake of these strained relations, Ukraine has agreed to consider a limited ceasefire proposal. A Ukrainian official stated that the proposal would focus on ceasefires in the air and at sea, as these areas are easier to monitor and implement.
Rubio suggested that such a concession might be a step toward ending the conflict, though he also acknowledged that significant concessions from both sides would be necessary for a full resolution. He pointed out that neither side would likely achieve a complete victory, with Russia unable to conquer all of Ukraine and Ukraine unlikely to push Russia back to its 2014 borders.
Before the Jeddah talks, Zelensky met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss conditions for a permanent peace deal, including the release of prisoners and the return of abducted children. The two leaders also explored Saudi Arabia’s potential role in mediating the release of detainees.
Rubio made it clear that he did not expect a final agreement to be drawn in Jeddah but promised to bring back proposals to Russia. He and Waltz had previously met Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia, marking a thaw in relations after Biden’s administration had suspended high-level communications.
As Russia continues its strikes on Ukraine, Trump has also threatened additional sanctions to force Russia to negotiate. However, his shift in US policy has been met with surprise by international allies. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Trump’s approach, calling it a “new age of infamy” and arguing that Europe would need to take on more responsibility moving forward.
French senator Claude Malhuret also denounced Trump’s stance, calling the American support for Putin a major strategic error.
AFP
