High-Stakes Meeting in Jeddah Aims to Repair Strained Relations After White House Clash
Saudi Arabia will host key talks between the United States and Ukraine on Tuesday following a heated argument during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent visit to the White House, reported indianexpress.com.
The discussions aim to ease tensions and explore pathways for peace as the war between Ukraine and Russia continues.
The talks will take place in Jeddah, a port city on the Red Sea, as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a key mediator for potential peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
This meeting follows a dramatic Oval Office encounter on February 28, where former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Zelenskyy, accusing him of “gambling with World War III.”
The dispute centered on a proposed deal allowing U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals—a deal that remained unsigned as Zelenskyy left Washington.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the kingdom’s commitment to pursuing a “lasting peace to end the Ukrainian crisis,” reflecting its broader diplomatic ambitions under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Top officials from both nations will participate in the talks, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Zelenskyy’s key advisors.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Monday, accompanied by his chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. On the American side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the delegation and is expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed.
These talks mark a significant diplomatic moment as Trump seeks to expedite a peace deal while balancing tough rhetoric against Russia with his efforts to limit Ukraine’s military and intelligence support.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of these negotiations underscores its evolving role as a neutral ground for high-level diplomacy. The kingdom’s controlled media environment and distance from the conflict provide a discreet setting for sensitive discussions.
The outcome of these talks could influence the future of the Ukraine conflict and shape global diplomatic alignments.
While Trump pushes for a peace settlement, European nations remain cautious and excluded from these talks. Meanwhile, the European Union recently announced increased defense investments, signaling its ongoing commitment to regional security despite the U.S.-Ukraine discussions.
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