President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukraine and the United States will hold talks in Saudi Arabia next week, voicing hope for a “meaningful” outcome as Kyiv seeks a resolution to the ongoing war with Russia. In posts on X following a Thursday EU crisis summit in Brussels, Zelensky noted that joint Ukrainian-American efforts have restarted, though he will not join the discussions during his concurrent visit to the Gulf nation. The Ukrainian leader framed the initiative as part of a broader push for a rapid and lasting peace, a goal he said has driven Kyiv since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.
The planned meeting follows a strained exchange with US President Donald Trump last week, after which the US suspended military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine, citing Zelensky’s reluctance to negotiate. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, disclosed that a conciliatory letter from Zelensky to Trump included an apology and gratitude, aiming to restore relations with Ukraine’s key ally. Witkoff stressed the US intent to outline a peace framework during the talks. Zelensky, under pressure to concede ground, has countered with demands for robust security guarantees, while hinting at support for a French ceasefire proposal targeting aerial, maritime, and civilian infrastructure attacks—yet to be addressed by Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking Thursday, insisted on a peace deal ensuring Russia’s long-term interests without relinquishing control over annexed regions, including Crimea and parts of southeastern Ukraine. The US pause in aid, cast as leverage to bring Kyiv to the table, follows preliminary US-Russia discussions in Saudi Arabia last month that excluded Ukraine and Europe, fueling alarm among EU leaders over Trump’s approach. As Russia holds roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, Zelensky called for intensified international efforts to pressure Moscow into ending the conflict.