US Plans Meeting with Ukraine Before Negotiations with Russia in Saudi Arabia

The US is scheduling a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia prior to negotiations with Russia, slated for Monday. If progress occurs in talks, further meetings may follow. Key US figures will not be present, with an emphasis on technical discussions rather than political. Ukrainian participants will include high-level experts, including Defense Minister Umerov.

The United States plans to conduct a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia prior to engaging in negotiations with Russian representatives. This initial meeting is scheduled for Sunday, with subsequent discussions with the Russian delegation expected on Monday. Should there be any significant development, a follow-up meeting between the Ukrainian and American teams may occur later that same day.

The US technical team’s discussions will focus on establishing preliminary parameters for the negotiations. Notably, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will not participate in these meetings. Jennifer Jacobs of CBS News reported these developments, highlighting the continuation of US diplomatic efforts in the region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a meeting between Ukrainian and US teams would take place, specifically indicating that Saudi Arabia was selected as the venue. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry representative, Tykhyi, clarified that this assembly is intended as a technical meeting rather than a political one, with no direct engagements with the Russian team planned at this stage.

Keith Kellogg, the US Special Representative for Ukraine, has stated that the Trump administration’s team will attempt to facilitate indirect negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Saudi Arabia, aiming to ascertain the terms for concluding the conflict. President Zelenskyy assured that the participants on the Ukrainian side would possess significant expertise, with Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov also attending the discussions.

In summary, the United States is set to hold a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to prepare for upcoming discussions with Russia. This meeting is intended to establish a foundation for further negotiations. Key US officials will not attend, but Ukrainian leaders are expected to participate at a high level, signaling a commitment to resolving the ongoing conflict through diplomatic dialogue.

Original Source: unn.ua