US Perceives Ukraine Ready to Advance on Ceasefire Negotiations

The United States views Ukraine’s leaders as prepared to move forward on a ceasefire with Russia. High-level talks are planned in Saudi Arabia, where security guarantees and potential economic collaborations will be discussed. President Zelensky faces pressure to agree to US demands while seeking stronger assurances.

According to a senior US State Department official, Ukraine’s leadership is open to advancing on the US demand for a ceasefire process with Russia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are set to meet with their Ukrainian counterparts in Saudi Arabia to discuss this matter.

President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to concede to US demands for a swift ceasefire with Moscow while refraining from providing immediate US security guarantees. Recently, the two leaders had a public disagreement in the White House regarding the status of Ukraine’s readiness to halt hostilities.

Since Russia initiated a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it has controlled about 20% of Ukrainian territory. The unnamed state department official indicated that the high-level nature of the discussions in Jeddah reflects Ukraine’s willingness to engage in negotiations and progress on this front.

Although Zelensky plans to be in Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he is not anticipated to have an official role in the negotiations with the US. The Ukrainian delegation will include Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, the national security adviser, along with foreign and defense ministers.

In a video message, President Zelensky expressed hope for positive outcomes from the talks, emphasizing the dual goals of advancing peace and securing continued support. Thus far, Zelensky has been under substantial US pressure to acquiesce ahead of any peace discussions while simultaneously advocating for solid security assurances for Kyiv, particularly in light of past ceasefire violations by Putin.

Any analogous pressure the US has exerted on Moscow regarding concessions has yet to be publicly disclosed. Following the White House disagreement, Zelensky has expressed regret and sought to mend ties with the US, which remains Ukraine’s principal military supporter.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned that Trump received a letter from Zelensky containing an apology and appreciation. During the discussions in Saudi Arabia, the US intended to outline a framework aimed at concluding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Notably, the prospect of a significant minerals deal, previously hindered by the diplomatic fallout, is now back on the agenda, alongside Ukraine’s willingness to provide the US exclusive access to its rare earth mineral reserves in return for security guarantees.

The tension at the White House also led to a temporary cessation of military aid and intelligence sharing from the US to Ukraine. When questioned about the potential resumption of intelligence sharing, Trump indicated progress was close, stating, “We just about have. I mean, we really just about have and we want to do anything we can to get Ukraine to be serious about getting something done.” No additional specifics were provided on the matter. Furthermore, Rubio’s prior conversations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia were in direct connection to Trump’s contentious call with Putin.

The US acknowledges Ukraine’s readiness to discuss a ceasefire with Russia while President Zelensky seeks security assurances amid ongoing military conflicts. High-level talks in Saudi Arabia will aim to clarify a peace framework, with Zelensky’s team engaging without his formal involvement. Despite prior tensions, initiatives for military aid and intelligence sharing are reportedly nearing resolution, indicating a pivotal moment in US-Ukrainian relations. The upcoming negotiations could also lead to significant economic collaborations regarding rare earth minerals, reinforcing the strategic partnership.

Original Source: www.bbc.com