High-level talks between the United States and Ukraine, aimed at easing tensions and finding a resolution to Ukraine’s three-year conflict with Russia, are set to begin today in Saudi Arabia.
Leading the U.S. delegation is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will engage with Ukrainian officials in the oil-rich kingdom, which previously hosted U.S. and Russian representatives for the first round of peace discussions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia a day earlier for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
However, he will not be participating in today’s talks with U.S. officials. Instead, a delegation led by his chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, alongside Ukraine’s foreign and defense ministers, as well as top military officials, will represent Kyiv.
“We hope for practical outcomes,” Zelensky wrote on social media. “Ukraine’s position in these talks will be fully constructive.”
This meeting marks the first official U.S.-Ukraine diplomatic engagement since a tense encounter at the White House involving U.S.
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelensky. That meeting ended controversially, with Zelensky being escorted out of the Oval Office, Trump freezing military aid to Ukraine, and a subsequent show of gratitude from Zelensky, despite the strained discussions.
Additionally, these talks represent Ukraine’s first formal participation in the peace process Trump initiated with Russia—a move that previously frustrated Zelensky and European allies, who criticized the lack of Ukrainian involvement.
Ukraine is expected to propose a partial ceasefire in air and sea operations with Russia, an idea Zelensky recently floated on social media.
This follows a devastating overnight missile and drone attack by Russian forces, which killed 14 people and injured dozens.