President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine traveled to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an effort to improve relations with the United States and to secure a favorable deal to end the ongoing war with Russia. The meeting between Zelensky and Prince Mohammed comes ahead of scheduled talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia. The crown prince has positioned Saudi Arabia as a key player in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, despite facing previous accusations of human rights abuses.
Last month, Zelensky had postponed a trip to Saudi Arabia after the country hosted a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov, where discussions about the war in Ukraine took place without his involvement. However, Zelensky announced on social media that he was determined to work towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and indicated that realistic proposals were being considered to achieve this goal. The conflict began with Russia’s invasion three years ago, and Zelensky stressed that Ukraine has been seeking peace since then.
Under pressure from the Trump administration to agree to a peace deal, Zelensky has appeared to recalibrate his message following a confrontation in the Oval Office where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized him for what they perceived as a lack of gratitude for U.S. support. Despite Trump’s comments about Russia’s military strength, signs show that Ukraine’s position on the battlefield is improving as Ukrainian troops have stalled a Russian offensive and even reclaimed some territory in recent months. The U.S. has paused military support for Ukraine, but Steve Witkoff, the administration’s special envoy to the Middle East, believes that Zelensky’s approach has improved Ukraine’s standing with American officials.
Zelensky expressed his commitment to constructive dialogue during his visit to Saudi Arabia and hoped to discuss and agree on necessary decisions and steps to move towards peace. Marco Rubio was expected to meet with Prince Mohammed in Jeddah after arriving in Saudi Arabia for talks with Ukrainian officials. Trump’s stance on Russia and Ukraine has been somewhat ambiguous, as he had suggested imposing significant sanctions on Russia to facilitate a peace deal but also mentioned finding it challenging to deal with Ukraine. He emphasized the need for the two countries to engage in talks before it was too late.
The meeting between Zelensky and Prince Mohammed in Saudi Arabia is significant in the context of efforts to end the war in Ukraine and improve relations with the United States. Saudi Arabia’s role as a mediator in diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Russia adds another layer to the complex dynamics of the conflict. Zelensky’s resolve to seek a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, despite the challenges and pressures he faces, underscores the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation between all parties involved. The outcomes of the talks in Saudi Arabia and subsequent discussions between Ukrainian and American officials will be crucial in determining the path towards peace in the region.
