High-level discussions between Ukraine and the United States commenced in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, signaling a renewed diplomatic effort to address the ongoing war with Russia.
The meeting took place at a luxury hotel in the Red Sea port city on Tuesday, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian officials seated across from each other. While Rubio offered a smile for the cameras, Ukrainian representatives remained expressionless. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister was also present, with the flags of the three nations displayed in the background. Officials refrained from responding to reporters’ questions.
The discussions follow a tense exchange between Ukraine and the U.S. during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s February 28 visit to the White House. Ukrainian representatives told The Associated Press that they plan to propose a ceasefire in the Black Sea to ensure safer shipping, limit long-range missile strikes affecting civilians, and discuss a potential prisoner exchange.
Meanwhile, hours before the talks, Russian air defenses intercepted 337 Ukrainian drones across 10 Russian regions in what appeared to be Ukraine’s most extensive drone attack on Russia since the war began. The assault left two people dead and 18 injured, including three children.
Moscow faces ‘massive’ drone attack ahead of US-Ukraine peace talks
The Kremlin has made no new concessions, maintaining its stance that hostilities could end if Ukraine abandons its NATO aspirations and recognizes Russian-occupied territories as part of Russia.
As the conflict continues, Russian forces have maintained battlefield momentum, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region. Moscow also reported a significant drone attack targeting the Russian capital, with over 70 drones shot down en route. Damage was reported to residential buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure across multiple regions.
In addition to the war negotiations, Kyiv is expected to sign a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, a resource crucial to American industry. However, Secretary of State Rubio emphasized that the agreement is not a precondition for further discussions and could require more time to finalize.
What to know ahead of the talks between the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia
While the U.S. has not outlined specific proposals for ending the war, Rubio stated that the delegation aims to gauge Ukraine’s position and compare it with Russian demands to assess the possibility of diplomatic progress.