Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that he will travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday, while his team will remain for discussions with US officials on ending the war with Russia.
“Ukraine is most interested in peace,” Zelenskyy stated. “As we told President Trump, Ukraine is working and will work exclusively constructively for a quick and reliable peace.”
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that negotiations are underway to coordinate a peace summit in Saudi Arabia. He said a recent letter from Zelenskyy to former US President Donald Trump was received as a “positive first step” toward diplomatic progress.
“There was an apology, there was an acknowledgment that the United States has done so much for Ukraine, and a sense of gratitude,” Witkoff told reporters at the White House.
He added that discussions are ongoing about holding the meeting in Riyadh or possibly Jeddah, with the goal of establishing a framework for a ceasefire and a long-term peace agreement.
Signs of Diplomatic Progress
Witkoff expressed optimism about the potential breakthrough, stating, “I think it’ll be a good meeting. Hopefully, it will send a strong signal to the Russians, who have also shown interest in reaching a resolution.”
Tensions between Washington and Kyiv spiked last week following a tense meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump in Washington, after which the US announced a temporary pause in aid to Ukraine. However, relations appear to be improving, with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz describing Zelenskyy’s willingness to negotiate as a “positive step forward” in ending the war.
Meanwhile, US and Russian officials held extensive talks in Riyadh on February 18, marking the most significant diplomatic engagement between the two sides since the conflict began in 2022.
