The United States and Ukraine have recently engaged in peace talks in an effort to bring an end to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. This conflict has lasted for more than three years, beginning when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite multiple offensives, Russian forces have been unable to capture the capital city of Kyiv, but they currently occupy approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.
In light of the prolonged war and the devastation it has caused, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been actively seeking diplomatic and military support from Western allies. Last month, Zelenskyy met with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. The meeting, attended by key figures such as JD Vance and Marco Rubio, quickly descended into chaos when Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War 3.” This led to an abrupt end to the discussions, with Zelenskyy reportedly storming out of the White House.
Since that contentious meeting, Zelenskyy has written a letter to Trump expressing his willingness to negotiate further, particularly regarding a significant minerals trade agreement between the two nations. Meanwhile, new diplomatic efforts have emerged, with senior officials from both the United States and Ukraine meeting in Saudi Arabia on March 11 to discuss a possible path toward peace.
While Zelenskyy and Trump were not present at the negotiations, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the American delegation, which included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. On the Ukrainian side, Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha represented Kyiv’s interests. Saudi Arabian officials, including Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad Al-Aiban, facilitated the discussions.
According to reports, the talks in Saudi Arabia have been progressing steadily. Mike Waltz provided an update to reporters, stating that the discussions were “getting there.” Yermak echoed this sentiment, describing the meeting as “very constructive” and emphasizing the goal of achieving a “just and lasting peace.”
Ahead of the negotiations, Rubio highlighted the importance of both Ukraine and Russia making concessions in order to reach a ceasefire. “We have to understand the Ukrainian position and just have a general idea of what concessions they’d be willing to make because you’re not going to get a ceasefire and an end to this war unless both sides make concessions,” Rubio stated, as reported by Reuters.
These peace talks in Saudi Arabia come at a time of heightened tensions, particularly after a massive Ukrainian drone attack targeted multiple regions in Russia. In what has been described as the most extensive drone assault since the beginning of the war, Russian air defenses reportedly shot down over 300 Ukrainian drones. The attack, which affected ten Russian regions, resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to at least 18 others, including children. Despite the scale of the assault, no significant damage was reported.
As the negotiations continue, the international community remains divided on the best approach to resolving the conflict. While Ukraine remains determined to reclaim its occupied territories, Russia has shown no signs of backing down. The involvement of key players such as the U.S. and Saudi Arabia suggests that diplomatic solutions are still being explored, though the likelihood of an immediate resolution remains uncertain.
Conclusion
For now, all eyes are on the ongoing discussions, as Ukraine and its allies seek to forge a path toward peace while dealing with the realities of a prolonged and devastating war.
