Trump Envoy Heads to Saudi Arabia for Ceasefire Talks with Ukraine

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Donald Trump‘s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced plans to travel to Saudi Arabia to initiate a peace discussion with a Ukrainian delegation aimed at negotiating a ceasefire with Russia. The meeting is tentatively set for Tuesday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, or in Jeddah, according to Witkoff, who spoke to reporters on Thursday.

“We’re now in discussions to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh, or even potentially Jeddah,” Witkoff stated. He emphasized that the purpose of the trip is to lay down a framework for a peace agreement, including an initial ceasefire.

Witkoff’s visit comes in light of a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that expressed gratitude for U.S. support and readiness to negotiate peace with Russia. During a recent congressional address, Trump indicated that Zelenskyy is open to signing a critical minerals agreement to facilitate the peace process.

Witkoff described Zelenskyy’s response as a positive first step, highlighting it contained an apology and recognition of U.S. contributions to Ukraine. He remarked, “I think Zelenskyy has offered to sign it, and we’ll see if he follows through.” This sentiment reflects a cautiously optimistic view towards the upcoming discussions.

The planned meeting is set to include key figures from the Ukrainian government. Andriy Yermak, President Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, is expected to lead the delegation, with Defense Minister Rustem Umerov potentially joining. This is part of Ukraine’s broader efforts to rebuild relations with the U.S. following some diplomatic tensions.

Meanwhile, significant developments have unfolded in Ukraine’s political landscape. Opposition leaders, including former president Petro Poroshenko, have recently engaged with U.S. representatives but denied involvement in a supposed White House plot to remove Zelenskyy from power. Poroshenko conveyed his disagreement with calls for wartime elections, stating they should only occur once martial law concludes.

Amidst these discussions, Zelenskyy has also been active in diplomatic engagements with European leaders. He confirmed a dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding a coalition meeting on military support for Ukraine set for March 11, further indicating a united front against Russian aggression.

During his remarks, Zelenskyy reiterated the necessity of establishing trust through significant actions. He called for a cessation of attacks on civilians and military operations in the Black Sea, asserting that trust is vital for successful negotiations with Russia.

“The release of prisoners could serve as a means of establishing basic trust,” Zelenskyy noted, stressing that any truce must lead to a more comprehensive settlement on security guarantees and the end of the conflict.

As attacks by Russian forces intensify, with reported missile strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, Zelenskyy underscored that Moscow has not diminished its military ambitions. He cautioned that Russia’s forces are expanding, which necessitates greater military preparedness for Ukraine and its allies.

In a hopeful turn, Zelenskyy endorsed the European Commission‘s ReArm Europe Plan, advocating for a significant portion of defense funds to support arms production in Ukraine. “Our industrial capabilities are the fastest and most relevant to the current security threats,” he argued.

Zelenskyy further urged consistent international sanctions against Russia to pressure it into ceasing its aggression, stating, “These sanctions must remain in place until Russia stops the occupation.”

The upcoming meetings in Saudi Arabia symbolize a crucial moment for Ukraine as it navigates the complexities of the ongoing conflict and seeks to secure peace and support from both American and European allies.