Senior Ukrainian and US officials began talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia following clashes between Moscow and Kyiv that resulted in three deaths. The talks focused on ending Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, now in its fourth year. The head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, Andriy Yermak, described the discussions between the two countries as constructive. The US delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, who stated that they would be listening to Ukrainian officials to understand their conditions for peace rather than proposing measures themselves. Ukrainian officials planned to propose a ceasefire in the Black Sea region, long-range missile strikes, and the release of Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia during the talks.
Rubio mentioned that concessions would be necessary in order to prevent further suffering, and discussions on a rare-earth minerals deal between Kyiv and Washington were also anticipated. However, Rubio clarified that the rare earth and critical minerals deals were not a precondition for the US to move forward with discussions with Ukraine or Russia. Previous talks on the rare earths deal broke down during a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump, with Trump suggesting that Zelenskyy was not ready for peace. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for real security guarantees to prevent Russia from continuing the war or reinvading Ukraine. The US had paused military support and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following the breakdown in discussions, but this break could potentially be lifted after positive talks in Jeddah.
The Kremlin has maintained its stance that it would stop hostilities if Ukraine abandoned its efforts to join NATO and recognized regions partially occupied by Russia as Russian territory. Russia’s conditions for ending the conflict have contrasted with Ukraine’s desire for Russian troops to withdraw from its territory completely. The talks in Jeddah aimed to bridge these differences and seek a just and lasting peace in the region.
The discussions in Saudi Arabia marked an opportunity for both Ukraine and the US to reevaluate their strategies for ending the conflict with Russia. The focus was on understanding each other’s perspectives and finding common ground on crucial issues such as ceasefire agreements and mineral deals. The US delegation emphasized the importance of listening to the Ukrainian officials’ conditions for peace and working towards a resolution that would benefit all parties involved. The talks also provided a chance to address past disagreements and potentially rebuild trust between the US and Ukraine following the breakdown in discussions earlier this year.
The potential agreements on rare-earth minerals and critical minerals between the US and Ukraine were seen as a positive step towards strengthening their partnership. While these deals were not deemed as prerequisites for further discussions, they represented an opportunity to enhance economic ties and foster mutually beneficial relationships. The talks in Jeddah offered a platform for both countries to explore new avenues for cooperation and establish a foundation for sustainable peace in the region. By addressing key issues such as ceasefire agreements and security guarantees, the US and Ukraine aimed to move closer towards resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia and building a more stable future for the region.
Overall, the talks between Ukrainian and US officials in Jeddah signaled a commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine. By engaging in constructive dialogue and seeking common ground on various issues, both parties demonstrated their willingness to work towards a just and lasting peace in the region. While challenges and differences remained, the discussions offered a promising opportunity to address key concerns and move closer towards ending the conflict with Russia. The focus on concessions, ceasefire agreements, and economic partnerships underscored the importance of cooperation and collaboration in resolving complex geopolitical issues and building a more stable future for Ukraine and the surrounding region.
