KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated his country’s dedication to engaging in constructive talks with U.S. representatives during an upcoming meeting in Saudi Arabia, aimed at finding a resolution to the ongoing war with Russia. The discussions are scheduled to take place next week.
Since assuming office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. He has criticized Zelensky, accusing him of lacking seriousness in pursuing a peace agreement with Russia, which invaded Ukraine three years ago and currently occupies approximately 20% of its territory.
In a post on X on Saturday, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to peace, stating, “Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively.”
Zelensky announced that he will visit Saudi Arabia next week, where he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on Monday. Following this meeting, Ukrainian diplomatic and military officials will remain in the country to hold discussions with the U.S. delegation on Tuesday. “On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps,” he added.
The Ukrainian delegation will include Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, has also confirmed his participation in the talks, stating that he is working on a framework to end the three-year conflict and plans to meet with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia next week.
In February, Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting between U.S. and Russian officials to explore ways to halt the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. However, Ukraine was excluded from those discussions, sparking concerns in Kyiv and among its European allies.
Zelensky’s previous meeting with Trump at the White House on February 28 ended in tension, as the two leaders publicly clashed over peace efforts in front of global media. The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia aim to foster a more collaborative approach to ending the war.
