Ukraine Eager for Peace Talks with US in Saudi Arabia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized his nation’s priority for peace, confirming that Ukrainian officials will engage in discussions with US counterparts in Saudi Arabia next week to explore ways to end the conflict with Russia.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to discuss the Ukraine situation with European leaders on Friday, focusing on potential troop contributions for a peacekeeping force to protect a proposed settlement that has been previously dismissed by Russia.
In his nightly address, Zelenskyy underlined Ukraine’s commitment to seeking peace constructively and suggested an improvement in relations with the US after his challenging White House visit. He mentioned visiting Saudi Arabia to meet with the crown prince, followed by his team’s discussions with US partners.
The talks come in the wake of a public disagreement between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump, along with recent reports of the US temporarily withholding military aid to Ukraine.
Trump believes both Ukraine and Russia are eager for a peace agreement, citing reasons he’s “the only one” who knows. The US is working towards outlining a framework for such a deal, with no clarity yet on whether a critical minerals agreement will also be on the table.
Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the UK’s readiness to “step up” as Trump urged Europe to take a more active role in security matters. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the idea of a NATO-led peacekeeping force as a direct and overt participation in the conflict against Russia.
European leaders have endorsed increased defence spending to allocate more funds for the continent’s security. Russia recently launched a drone attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa, damaging infrastructure and causing fires, local authorities reported.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/zelenskyy-says-ukraine-most-interested-in-peace-as-he-confirms-us-talks-as-starmer-to-hold-talks-with-european-leaders-13323094
