The Trump administration is optimistic that Ukraine’s leadership is prepared to advance the US demand for a ceasefire process with Russia, as stated by a senior official from the US State Department.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia for talks on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept his demands for a quick ceasefire with Moscow, but has not provided any immediate security guarantees.

Ten days ago, Trump and Zelensky publicly clashed at the White House, with Trump claiming that Zelensky was not ready to cease the fighting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

The State Department official stated that the senior-level presence of Zelensky’s team in Saudi Arabia indicates their willingness to engage in discussions and move forward.

Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Gulf kingdom, but he is not expected to formally participate in the talks with the Americans.

Ukraine’s delegation will be represented by Zelensky’s head of office Andriy Yermak, the country’s national security adviser, as well as the foreign and defense ministers.

In his video address on Sunday, Zelensky expressed hopes for progress in both bringing peace closer and continuing support.

Zelensky faces strong pressure from the US to make concessions before peace talks, and he has been pushing for firm security guarantees for Kyiv, emphasizing that Putin has violated previous ceasefire agreements.

The extent of pressure the US has been exerting on Moscow to make concessions remains undisclosed.

Following the White House disagreement, Zelensky expressed regret and attempted to mend relations with the US, which is Ukraine’s biggest military supplier.

Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated that Trump had received a letter from Zelensky that included an apology and a sense of gratitude.

Witkoff added that the US team in Saudi Arabia aims to discuss a “framework” for peace to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

A major minerals deal, previously derailed due to the row, is reportedly back on the agenda during the talks in Saudi Arabia.

Ukraine has proposed granting the US access to its rare earth mineral reserves in exchange for US security guarantees.

The White House clash also led to a temporary halt in military aid to Ukraine and the suspension of intelligence sharing.

Trump responded to a question about lifting the intelligence pause by stating that the situation was “almost resolved” and that the US wants to encourage Ukraine to be serious about finding a solution.

On February 18, prior to the US-Ukraine disagreement in Washington, Secretary of State Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia. This meeting followed a controversial phone conversation between Trump and Putin.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9dp5rr2x9o