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Ukraine is set to unveil a plan for a partial ceasefire with Russia to the United States, with the goal of regaining support from its most important ally. This move comes after President Donald Trump demanded concessions to bring an end to the ongoing three-year conflict
Talks between Ukrainian and US officials are set to take place in Saudi Arabia’s port city of Jeddah, amidst escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia has intensified its attacks, while Ukraine retaliated with a massive drone attack on Moscow and other parts of the country, involving over 330 drones, according to Russian officials.
This meeting, scheduled for later today, will be the highest-level discussion between the two nations since President Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for perceived ingratitude during a disastrous White House visit last month.
Following the incident, Washington suspended military aid, intelligence sharing, and access to satellite imagery, aiming to push Ukraine into negotiations.
Zelensky, who apologized to Trump in a letter, met with Saudi rulers in Jeddah on Monday but delegated the talks to his top aides.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s national security advisor Mike Waltz will represent the US in the talks. Rubio expressed hopes of resolving the aid suspension, stating, “Hopefully, we’ll have a good meeting and good news to report.”
Notably, Rubio clarified that the US has not cut off intelligence support for Ukraine’s defensive operations.
However, the US had demanded that Ukraine sign an agreement granting access to its mineral wealth in exchange for past military aid, which Zelensky refused to sign during his White House visit.
Although Zelensky remains open to signing the agreement, Rubio stated that it won’t be the focus of today’s meeting.
The conflict has escalated, with Russia retaking villages in its Kursk region and Ukraine launching a massive drone attack that killed at least one person and injured three others.
Subsequently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stood firm in the face of criticism from US Vice President JD Vance during a White House meeting, questioning why Ukraine should trust Russia’s promises after its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Despite Washington’s pressure, Ukraine is now proposing a limited ceasefire, with a Ukrainian official suggesting a “ceasefire in the sky and ceasefire at sea” as a starting point.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled that the Trump administration would likely welcome this proposal, emphasizing that concessions from both sides are necessary to end the conflict.
Rubio noted that Russia cannot conquer all of Ukraine, and it would be challenging for Ukraine to force Russia back to its 2014 borders.
In a separate meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Zelensky discussed Ukraine’s conditions for a permanent peace deal, including the release of prisoners and the return of abducted children.
The two leaders also explored the possibility of Saudi Arabia mediating the release of prisoners and deported children.
Rubio stated that he would bring ideas back to Russia following the Jeddah meeting, although he didn’t expect to finalize a deal. The US has been seeking to pressure Russia to negotiate, with Trump threatening further sanctions against Russia last week.
However, Trump’s sudden shift in US policy has surprised many allies, with Rubio objecting to “antagonistic” language on Russia at an upcoming G7 meeting.
