Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed his team will meet with American counterparts in Saudi Arabia for peace talks, just a week after a disagreement with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance that led to him leaving the White House early.
“Next Monday, I have a visit planned to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with the Crown Prince. After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with our American partners,” Zelenskyy announced on X. “Ukraine is most interested in peace.”
Zelenskyy included a message to President Trump in the post, stating Ukraine “is working and will continue to work constructively for a swift and reliable peace.”
Prior to the Oval Office meeting, Ukrainian opposition leaders, former President Petro Poroshenko and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, confirmed they held talks with the U.S., but denied being part of an alleged plan to oust Zelenskyy.
Russia reportedly responded to Zelenskyy’s agreement by launching a missile attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, prompting concerns about the ongoing conflict.
On Tuesday, Trump addressed a joint session of Congress, discussing his efforts to end the war and mentioned he had received a letter from Zelenskyy. He read the letter, expressing appreciation for it.
“n honorable gesture from President Zelenskyy,” Trump said. “The letter reads, ‘Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.’”