Zelenskyy Engages U.S. Officials in Saudi Arabia Amid Military Aid Discussions
President Zelenskyy has reached Saudi Arabia to engage with U.S. officials in an effort to repair relations after a prior disagreement. While not meeting with Secretary of State Rubio, his team will advocate for essential military aid. International discussions regarding peace and security are ongoing amid shifting U.S. policies on Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Saudi Arabia before his team engages in discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Although Mr. Zelenskyy will not attend the meeting with Mr. Rubio, his delegation aims to mend relations following a contentious visit to Washington on February 28. The Ukraine-U.S. summit is scheduled for Tuesday in Jeddah, according to Saudi state television.
In the evening, President Zelenskyy will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after sunset, coinciding with the end of the daily fast during Ramadan. Secretary of State Rubio, who is en route to Jeddah, is not expected to meet with Mr. Zelenskyy but will hold discussions with the Crown Prince.
The Ukrainian team will advocate restoring crucial military aid and intelligence, which has been vital since Russia’s invasion in 2022. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Rubio emphasized the importance of understanding Ukraine’s willingness to engage in peace talks, acknowledging the severity of the conflict. He remarked, “They have suffered greatly and their people have suffered greatly. And it’s hard in the aftermath of something like that to even talk about concessions, but that’s the only way this is going to end and prevent more suffering.”
Additionally, Sir Keir Starmer spoke with President Trump on Monday, reinforcing the need for a peaceful resolution. A Downing Street press release revealed that Mr. Starmer conveyed that UK officials had been in talks with Ukraine officials over the weekend, reaffirming their commitment to achieving lasting peace and facilitating the resumption of U.S. aid and intelligence sharing.
The European Union also took steps to enhance its defense capabilities and allocate substantial funding for security, responding to changes in U.S. policy regarding Ukraine. However, a U.S. intelligence official confirmed that the ban on sharing certain intelligence remains, but noted that discussions in Saudi Arabia could potentially lead to the resumption of such sharing with Ukraine.
In summary, President Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia seeks to repair relations with the United States following a past conflictual encounter. His discussions with U.S. officials aim to advocate for the restoration of military aid and intelligence sharing essential for Ukraine amidst ongoing tensions. Additionally, international dialogues regarding peace and defense continue to extend beyond the U.S.-Ukraine interaction, with EU efforts and UK engagements also contributing to broader security strategies.
Original Source: news.sky.com
