U.S.-Ukraine talks set for next week in Saudi Arabia, expected to be ‘significant’

KATHMANDU: High-level talks between the United States and Ukraine are set to take place next week in Saudi Arabia, with expectations of a meaningful outcome. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed hope for a major breakthrough from the discussions.

Zelenskyy will also be in Saudi Arabia during the talks, though he will not participate directly. Kyiv has reiterated its commitment to achieving “swift and lasting peace.”

Leading the U.S. delegation will be Steve Witkoff, a former special envoy under Donald Trump. Witkoff has stated that the discussions will focus on identifying a framework for peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Last Friday, tensions flared between Zelenskyy and Trump at the White House, where Trump accused Ukraine of not wanting to end the war. Following the heated exchange, the U.S. temporarily suspended military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.

Zelenskyy, acknowledging the strain in U.S.-Ukraine relations, has since sought to mend ties, recognizing Washington as Kyiv’s largest military supporter. On Thursday, Witkoff confirmed that Trump had received a letter from Zelenskyy, which reportedly conveyed both “apology and gratitude.” “We hope our relationship with Ukraine is now back on track,” Witkoff added.

The U.S. has been pressuring Ukraine to make certain concessions, while Kyiv is demanding stronger security guarantees. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, it has seized control of approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Zelenskyy announced the upcoming U.S.-Ukraine talks after attending an emergency European Union summit in Brussels, where EU leaders approved an increase in defense spending. “Negotiations between Ukrainian and American teams have resumed. We anticipate significant discussions next week,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

He also called on the international community to intensify pressure on Russia, referencing a ceasefire proposal put forward by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron’s plan includes a halt to air and naval strikes, as well as an end to attacks on energy infrastructure and civilian facilities.

Moscow has yet to publicly respond to Macron’s proposal, but Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia seeks an agreement ensuring “long-term peace.” “We do not need anything more, but we will never surrender our rights,” Putin stated.

Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and has since claimed control over four southeastern Ukrainian regions, though its hold remains incomplete.

Recent reports indicate growing concerns in Kyiv and across Europe over Trump’s increasing engagement with Moscow.

During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to end the war quickly. Last month, U.S. and Russian officials held preliminary talks in Saudi Arabia without any Ukrainian or European representatives present.

Trump administration officials have suggested that suspending military aid to Ukraine is intended to push Kyiv toward accepting U.S.-led peace talks.

However, it remains unclear whether Moscow is facing similar pressure.