Ukraine Sets Partial Ceasefire Plan During U.S. Talks in Saudi Arabia

U.S. and Ukrainian officials commenced talks in Saudi Arabia to present a partial ceasefire plan aimed at halting long-range missile strikes and establishing a truce in the Black Sea. Key Ukrainian officials represented the government in President Zelenskyy’s absence. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio emphasized understanding potential Ukrainian concessions and noted that discussions might include mineral resource agreements, although that is not the main focus of these talks.

Officials from the U.S. and Ukraine commenced discussions in Saudi Arabia, during which Ukraine is expected to introduce a partial ceasefire plan concerning its ongoing conflict with Russia. This initiative aims to cease long-range missile strikes and establish a truce that encompasses the Black Sea region. Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not attend the talks, with representation from key figures including Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and military commander Pavlo Palisa.

Prior to the meetings, President Zelenskyy expressed on social media that Ukraine is eager for “practical outcomes” from these discussions. The U.S. delegation was led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, amid President Trump’s intentions to facilitate a rapid resolution to the conflict that has persisted since Russia’s invasion in early 2022. Rubio emphasized the necessity to address the current pause in U.S. aid to Ukraine and expressed a desire to comprehend the concessions Ukraine might consider possible.

Rubio mentioned, “The Ukrainians are already receiving all defensive intelligence information as we speak. I hope we can resolve the notion of the pause in aid broadly.” He added that the discussions would not focus on demarcating territorial lines, but rather on exploring viable concessions, underscoring the absence of a military solution to the ongoing war. Both Russia and Ukraine must face challenging decisions moving forward.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman engaged with Rubio in Jeddah and had a prior meeting with Zelenskyy in Riyadh. There was speculation regarding Trump’s interest in linking military aid to Ukraine’s mineral resources, which are crucial to the U.S. economy and defense. However, Rubio clarified that securing a deal concerning Ukraine’s raw materials was not the main focus of these particular talks, stating, “It’s an important topic, but it’s not the main topic on the agenda.”

In addition, Rubio acknowledged the constructive roles played by Britain and France in the ongoing discussions. He noted that there have been no conversations surrounding China’s potential involvement in postwar peacekeeping and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. This trip marks Rubio’s second visit to Saudi Arabia since he took office, following previous talks with Russian officials in February. He is expected to travel to Canada shortly for further discussions with G7 foreign ministers.

In conclusion, U.S. and Ukrainian officials are engaged in critical discussions aimed at presenting a ceasefire plan to address the ongoing conflict with Russia. The talks indicate a desire for practical outcomes while emphasizing that military solutions are untenable. Various topics, including mineral resource agreements, are being deliberated, although not as the primary focus. The involvement of international partners like Britain and France also highlights the broader diplomatic engagement surrounding this conflict.

Original Source: www.voanews.com