The U.S. administration plans to utilize a meeting in Saudi Arabia with Ukrainian officials to evaluate Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions in its conflict with Russia. Led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the delegation aims to discern Kyiv’s commitment to improving relations and seeking a realistic peace, especially after tensions between President Trump and President Zelensky. European allies stress the importance of Ukraine maintaining a strong negotiating position, while Trump expresses optimism about achieving progress in the discussions.
by Steve Holland, Gram Slattery, and Daphne Psaledakis
U.S. Aims for Concrete Concessions in Saudi Arabia Meeting
WASHINGTON, March 10 (Reuters) – The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump plans to leverage the upcoming meeting with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to assess Kyiv’s readiness to make tangible concessions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia, according to two U.S. officials.
The Washington contingent is keen to identify any indications that Kyiv is genuinely interested in strengthening bilateral relations, particularly after the contentious exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28, the officials—who requested anonymity—reported.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to lead the U.S. delegation, which will include White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
On the Ukrainian side, discussions will be overseen by Andriy Yermak, a senior advisor to President Zelensky, in Jeddah.
‘You can’t say you desire peace while refusing to make any compromises,’ one U.S. official remarked concerning the dialogue between Washington and Kyiv.
‘We want to determine if the Ukrainians are prepared not just for peace, but for a realistic form of it,’ another representative from the Trump administration noted.
‘If their stance is strictly about the borders of 2014 or 2022, that will be telling,’ he added, referencing Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent invasion in February 2022, which has led to Russia controlling approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory. Kyiv has consistently dismissed any agreements that would prevent it from reclaiming these areas.
Expressing optimism about the forthcoming Saudi meeting, Trump stated on Sunday night, ‘I think we are going to achieve significant progress this week,’ while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.
European Allies Emphasize Strong Ukrainian Position
Ukraine’s European allies emphasize the necessity for Kyiv to maintain a robust negotiating position with Moscow, insisting that the Ukrainian government should not be coerced into hastily engaging in talks with its Russian aggressor.
Zelensky has previously indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not genuinely interested in peace and has warned that Putin may target other European nations if he does not face setbacks in Ukraine.
Under pressure from Trump, who halted military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv, Zelensky expressed a desire to ‘make things right’ with Washington last week, lamenting the abrupt end of his visit to the White House. Trump announced on Sunday that the ‘pause’ in intelligence sharing should be lifted.
High-ranking U.S. and Russian officials initiated discussions in February in Riyadh, aimed at mending bilateral relations, while former President Joe Biden has refrained from direct communications with Moscow, offering unwavering support to Kyiv since the Russian offensive began.
Having regained power on January 20, Trump has adopted a conciliatory approach towards Russia while expressing frustration with Ukraine, placing blame on Kyiv for the conflict. The U.S. president is pushing for a swift return to the negotiating table.
Critics argue that Trump’s decisions may inadvertently bolster Russia’s position, potentially diminishing the likelihood of Moscow agreeing to a fair peace settlement.
A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council noted that Zelensky has made strides in mending relations with Washington following his previous confrontation with Trump last month.
‘With this week’s discussions in Saudi Arabia, we are eager to hear about more positive advancements that could lead to an end to this brutal war and the bloodshed,’ stated Brian Hughes.
Steve Witkoff also expressed hope last week to discuss a ‘framework’ for a potential ceasefire and peace agreement.