Officials from the Trump administration will meet separately with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia this week, following earlier discussions that proposed a peace plan. The meetings aim to repair relations with Ukraine and exert diplomatic pressure on both sides to negotiate a ceasefire and reach a final agreement, highlighting significant developments in the ongoing conflict.
Top officials from the Trump administration are scheduled to engage in separate discussions with delegations from Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia this week, as reported by CNN. President Trump mentioned aboard Air Force One on March 9, “Big meetings coming up, as you know, in Saudi Arabia. That’s going to include Russia, but Ukraine, we’ll see if we can get something done.”
These upcoming meetings follow previous discussions, including a US-Russian meeting in Saudi Arabia on February 18, where a three-step peace proposal was put forth, advocating for a ceasefire, subsequent elections in Ukraine, and a final agreement. Additionally, discussions last month in the Oval Office between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revolved around the ongoing conflict, with Trump and Vance criticizing Zelensky while he defended his position on security guarantees against Russia.
Efforts to mend relations between the United States and Ukraine have gained momentum after the diplomatic tensions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is slated to meet with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the Ukrainian delegation plans to engage with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh prior to the US-Ukraine talks, as reported by Radio Free Europe.
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg previously indicated that American diplomatic pressure on Ukraine aims to prompt negotiations. He described this strategy as “something like hitting a mule with a board on the nose – you got their attention,” implying that the withdrawal of military aid was intended to push Ukraine toward discussions.
Trump has also hinted at exerting pressure on Russia, stating on Truth Social that he is “seriously considering implementing massive Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs against Russia until a ceasefire and FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT is reached.” In a statement made on March 10, a spokesperson from the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that US-Russia meetings would occur this week.
In summary, Trump administration officials will conduct significant meetings with both Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia, aiming to negotiate peace in the ongoing conflict. Previous talks have indicated potential pathways for resolution, and efforts are underway to restore US-Ukraine relations amidst growing diplomatic tensions. Moreover, Trump has expressed intentions to apply pressure on both parties to facilitate a ceasefire and finalize a peace agreement, signifying a potentially pivotal week for negotiations in the region.
Original Source: euromaidanpress.com
