US,Ukrainian Officials to Meet in Saudi Arabia for Peace Talks Amidst Tensions
Amidst escalating tensions following a recent public clash, US and Ukrainian officials are slated to meet in Saudi Arabia next week to discuss a framework for a potential peace agreement to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Al Jazeera reports.
The announcement comes after the United States suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv earlier this week, days after a contentious meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy, confirmed that he will meet with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to work towards outlining a peace agreement.
“We are now in discussions to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or even potentially Jeddah. So the city is moving around a little bit, but it will be Saudi Arabia,” Witkoff told reporters outside the White House on Thursday. “I think the idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well.”
Zelensky also confirmed his planned trip to Saudi Arabia, stating he will travel with a delegation of officials on Monday to hold talks with US representatives.
This marks the first high-level engagement between US and Ukrainian officials since the February 28 meeting at the White House, which dissolved into a heated exchange, culminating in Zelensky being asked to leave. In the aftermath of the public disagreement, President Trump cut off intelligence-sharing and aid to Ukraine.
However, signals have emerged suggesting a potential thaw in relations. President Trump stated on Tuesday that he received a letter from Zelensky expressing a willingness “to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible.”
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, President Trump claimed his administration had made “a lot of progress” in recent days regarding relations with both Ukraine and Russia.
Witkoff echoed this sentiment, noting that Zelensky has expressed apologies and gratitude in recent days for the White House incident.
