This week, the United States and Ukraine will hold high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, which could mark a turning point in their relationship. Following the breakdown of last month’s White House mineral agreement negotiations, the U.S. has suspended intelligence-sharing with Ukraine and frozen military aid, hoping to push Ukraine towards peaceful negotiations.
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio will visit Jeddah from Monday (March 10) to Wednesday to participate in bilateral talks with Ukrainian officials. White House National Security Advisor Waltz and Trump’s Middle East envoy Witkoff are expected to accompany Rubio.
Andriy Yermak, the Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian President’s Office, will lead the negotiating team from Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha, Defense Minister Umerov, and Deputy Chief of Staff Palisa will also participate.
Two U.S. officials told Reuters that American officials plan to assess during Tuesday’s talks whether Kyiv is willing to make substantial concessions to Russia to end the conflict.
One official stated that the U.S. will also focus on whether Ukraine genuinely seeks to improve relations with the Trump administration.
Last month, President Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at the White House, initially planning to sign a mineral agreement allowing the U.S. to extract natural resources in Ukraine, with 50% of profits going towards Ukraine’s reconstruction. The agreement implied future economic benefits for both Ukraine and the U.S., including a certain level of security guarantees.
However, the meeting eventually turned into a heated dispute, straining relations between the two countries.
One U.S. official commenting on the upcoming talks remarked, “You can’t say ‘I want peace’ on one hand and then say ‘I refuse to make any compromises’ on the other.”
Another U.S. official stated that if Kyiv insists on restoring the 2014 or 2022 borders, it indicates that Ukraine is not truly seeking peace.
Informed sources revealed to the Financial Times that Kyiv plans to propose partial ceasefires to Washington, covering areas such as long-range drone and missile attacks, and actions in the Black Sea, with the hope of prompting the U.S. to reverse its decisions to freeze intelligence-sharing and weapon supplies through negotiations.
After the U.S. suspended military aid, Ukrainian forces lost some territory they had taken in the Kursk region of Russia. Thousands of Ukrainian troops who attacked the Kursk region of Russia last summer are now almost surrounded. Russian forces have also made slow but steady progress in eastern Ukraine.
A Ukrainian official expressed that Kyiv’s immediate priority is to repair relations with the U.S. Two European officials indicated that the Ukrainian government will view ceasefire negotiations as a condition for restoring American military and intelligence aid.
In a nighttime video address, Zelenskyy stated that he will travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday to “continue striving for peace.” He is reported to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but will not stay to attend the Tuesday meetings with the U.S. representatives.
Zelenskyy expressed hope that the discussions between his team and U.S. officials will yield results.
On Sunday (March 9), President Trump mentioned that the U.S. has “virtually” resumed intelligence-sharing with Ukraine and anticipates positive outcomes from the U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia.
When asked about fully restoring intelligence sharing on Air Force One, Trump replied, “We have almost restored, we have almost restored.”
Trump also informed accompanying reporters, “I believe we will make a lot of progress this week.”
Last Wednesday, CIA Director Ratcliffe announced the U.S. suspension of intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, further pressuring Ukraine to cooperate with Trump in promoting peace negotiations with Russia.
Trump’s Middle East envoy Witkoff previously stated his intention to discuss potential ceasefires and peace agreement frameworks during the talks.
The negotiations also involve the mineral agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine.
Trump stated on Sunday that he expects Ukraine to sign the agreement, emphasizing that Zelenskyy’s government must demonstrate a willingness for peace.
Ukraine’s European allies believe that Kyiv must have leverage in negotiations with Russia and cannot rush into forced negotiations.
Zelenskyy reiterated multiple times that Russian President Putin does not want peace and warned that if Russia is not thoroughly defeated, other European countries could be the next targets.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned close cooperation between Brussels and Kyiv.
Approximately 20 countries led by the UK and France have expressed readiness to form a “willing alliance” to support Ukraine after reaching a ceasefire agreement. However, the U.S. has not clearly stated its stance on supporting this alliance.