Zelenskyy, Rubio arrive in Saudi Arabia as US voices hope for Ukraine peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and chief US diplomat Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia forward of ceasefire talks on Monday as Ukraine’s proposal for a partial truce raised hopes of a breakthrough after three years of struggle.

Zelenskyy, embroiled in a public row with US President Donald Trump final month, touched down in Jeddah as Rubio cautiously welcomed the concept of an aerial and naval ceasefire.

Tuesday’s talks between Ukrainian officers and Rubio’s US group would be the first between the 2 sides for the reason that White Home blow-up, when Zelensky left with out signing a minerals deal demanded by Trump.

Washington has since suspended army support to Ukraine in addition to intelligence sharing and entry to satellite tv for pc imagery in a bid to drive it to the negotiating desk with Moscow, which launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 on orders from President Vladimir Putin.

“We do have a proposal for a ceasefire within the sky and ceasefire at sea,” a Ukrainian official informed AFP on Monday, talking on situation of anonymity.

“As a result of these are the ceasefire choices which can be simple to put in and to observe, and it’s attainable to begin with them.”

Rubio indicated the concept had promise.

“I’m not saying that alone is sufficient, however it’s the sort of concession you would want to see in an effort to finish the battle,” he informed reporters.

“You’re not going to get a ceasefire and an finish to this struggle until either side make concessions.”

Rubio added that he hoped to “resolve” the suspension of army support that’s threatening to hamper Ukraine’s marketing campaign.

“I feel the notion of the pause in support, broadly, is one thing I hope we will resolve. Clearly, what occurs tomorrow shall be key to that,” he mentioned.

Zelensky was anticipated to fulfill the de facto Saudi ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later earlier than his officers sit down with the US aspect on Tuesday.

‘Framework’ for peace deal, ceasefire

Britain’s Monetary Instances newspaper, citing a supply briefed on preparations for the talks, mentioned Kyiv’s provide of a partial ceasefire was geared toward convincing Washington to renew army support and intelligence-sharing.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer informed Trump in a name on Monday that he hoped the talks would result in the US resuming army support to Ukraine, Downing Avenue mentioned.

Earlier than his departure for Jeddah, Zelensky mentioned Ukraine wished peace, insisting Russia was the only real purpose that the struggle was carrying on.

“Ukraine has been searching for peace for the reason that very first second of the struggle, and now we have all the time mentioned that the one purpose that the struggle is continuous is due to Russia,” he wrote on social media.

US Center East envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned Washington wished to make use of the talks “to get down a framework for a peace settlement and an preliminary ceasefire as effectively”.

In Jeddah, dozens of Ukrainian and Saudi flags flew on a principal roundabout close to the airport and on thoroughfares.

In addition to Rubio, Mike Waltz, Trump’s nationwide safety adviser, has additionally confirmed his participation.

Zelenskyy mentioned his negotiators will embrace International Minister Andriy Sybiga and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, his chief of workers Andriy Yermak and Pavlo Palisa, a army commander and Yermak’s deputy.

Zelenskyy ‘supplied to signal deal’

Zelenskyy has known as the White Home incident “regrettable” and mentioned he was able to work with Trump’s “robust management”. He additionally expressed readiness to signal the minerals deal.

Witkoff mentioned Trump acquired a letter from Zelenskyy, calling it “a really constructive first step” and “an apology”.

Requested if Ukraine would signal the deal in Saudi Arabia, Witkoff mentioned: “I feel Zelenskyy has supplied to signal it, and we’ll see if he follows by.”

Trump has renewed communications with Putin and criticised Zelenskyy, elevating fears in Kyiv and amongst European allies that the US chief might attempt to drive Ukraine to just accept a settlement favouring Russia.

On Friday, nevertheless, Trump mentioned he was contemplating additional sanctions on Russia for “pounding” Ukraine on the battlefield.

Ukraine’s European allies final week held a summit with Zelenskyy and introduced they might significantly enhance defence spending. Starmer will host digital talks on Saturday to construct on the assembly.

In the meantime, a senior Ukrainian official informed AFP that Russia might get pleasure from a bonus in opposition to Ukrainian troops if the US continues to refuse to share intelligence.

“If it lasts a very long time, it can give the Russians a major benefit,” the supply mentioned.