Talks between the United States and Ukraine kicked off in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah on Tuesday as part of what has been described as “decisive” efforts to mend relations between the two neighbors, work towards peace and end the war with Russia.
“We hope for practical outcomes,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ahead of the talks in a post on X late on Monday. “Ukraine's position in these talks will be fully constructive.”
Zelenskyy was in Jeddah on Monday where he held talks with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The Ukrainian leader hailed the Crown Prince’s efforts in bolstering the opportunities for achieving real peace in his country.
Television footage of Tuesday’s talks showed the American and Ukrainian delegations seated at a table, with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban in the middle.
The US delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, while the Ukrainian delegation included Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Minister of Defense Rustem Umerovto.
Meanwhile, former military advisor at the US State Department Abbas Dahouk said the Jeddah meetings could “play a decisive role in building trust and boosting diplomatic relations between the US and Ukraine.”
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the senior discussions “provide an opportunity to clarify discrepancies, align strategic priorities and highlight the common goals in confronting the ongoing Russian aggression.”
Tuesday’s talks follow a disastrous meeting between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump at the White House on February 28 when difference between the two leaders played out in front of the media in an explosive exchange.
A joint press conference between the leaders following their meeting was cancelled and Zelenskyy left the White House without reaching an agreement about rare earths that Trump had demanded in return for American support to Ukraine in the war.
Dahouk added that the success of Tuesday’s meeting will depend on the tangible political commitments and whether the two sides can tackle the setbacks caused by the delay in the delivery of military assistance and exchange of intelligence, as well as the political changes in Washington.
Riyadh had on February 19 hosted American and Russian officials, including their foreign ministers, in the first such meeting between the two sides since the eruption of the war in February 2022.
The landmark meeting culminated in an agreement to restore diplomatic staff and bolster economic cooperation.
