Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has left Saudi Arabia, where he met with officials to discuss improving relations with the United States. His team is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, although Zelenskyy himself will not be present. This meeting follows a challenging visit to Washington, where tensions flared during a discussion with former President Donald Trump.
In Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy briefly met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after breaking the daily Ramadan fast. His discussions aimed to mend ties with the U.S. after a recent pause in military aid and intelligence sharing. The Ukrainian delegation hopes to persuade the U.S. to restore this support, which is crucial for Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts.
Rubio, who is also in Saudi Arabia, is not set to meet with Zelenskyy directly. However, he held talks with the crown prince regarding issues in Yemen, Syria, and the reconstruction of Gaza. Rubio mentioned that understanding Ukraine’s willingness to engage in peace talks could influence the U.S. approach to the conflict with Russia.
He emphasized the importance of Ukraine being ready to make difficult decisions, similar to what Russia might have to do, to end the ongoing war. The discussions in Saudi Arabia are seen as a potential turning point for Ukraine, especially in light of recent shifts in U.S. policy.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also communicated with Trump, expressing hope for positive outcomes from the talks that would allow for U.S. aid to resume. Starmer noted that UK officials have been in touch with their Ukrainian counterparts and are committed to finding a lasting peace.
The backdrop to these discussions is the European Union’s recent decision to bolster its defense capabilities in response to the changing U.S. stance on Ukraine. A U.S. intelligence official indicated that the pause on sharing intelligence for offensive operations remains, but there is optimism that progress could be made during the talks in Saudi Arabia.
As the situation evolves, both Ukraine and its allies are keenly watching for any developments that may lead to renewed support and a pathway toward peace.