Senior officials from the United States and Ukraine are set to meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11, 2025. This meeting marks the first high-level talks since tensions flared between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. The focus will be on finding a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Saudi Arabia confirmed the meeting just days before, on March 7, 2025.
Senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials will convene in Jeddah on March 11, 2025, to discuss a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The U.S. delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Other key figures include White House envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. They plan to assess Ukraine's responses and peace proposals while working to advance Trump's goal of ending the conflict.
The Ukrainian side will be led by Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, along with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. President Zelensky visited Saudi Arabia a day earlier, on March 10, 2025, to prepare for the talks.
This meeting follows a U.S.-Russia meeting in Riyadh two weeks prior. It comes after the suspension of U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine, which has led to a pause in intelligence sharing. Meanwhile, the European Union is increasing its defense efforts in response to the changing U.S. policies. Saudi Arabia is emerging as a key player in the peace talks.
During the discussions, Ukraine will propose its own ceasefire deal. This proposal aims to cover issues like Black Sea access and long-range missile strikes. It also calls for the release of prisoners and seeks to resume paused U.S. military aid. Zelensky has stated that Ukraine is committed to a constructive approach, emphasizing the importance of achieving a ceasefire to stabilize the region. Additionally, the involvement of Saudi Arabia in peace talks highlights its role as a significant diplomatic player.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will host the talks, showcasing Saudi Arabia's influence in international affairs. If an agreement is reached, it could speed up the peace process and impact Trump's political standing.
