The United States and Ukraine are set to hold key discussions in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, their first official meeting since a heated exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump. The talks will focus on a possible minerals deal between the US and Ukraine and finding ways to end the ongoing war with Russia.
Relations between Washington and Kyiv have been strained since the February clash leading the US to halt military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Reports also suggest that the Trump administration is considering revoking the legal status of 240,000 Ukrainian refugees in the US, putting them at risk of deportation.
Why Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key diplomatic hub, hosting recent US-Russia talks in February. These discussions led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focused on restoring diplomatic ties and supporting Ukraine peace efforts. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov participated, indicating Russia’s willingness to negotiate.
Before the talks Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. However he will not take part in the negotiations directly. Instead Ukraine will be represented by key officials, including Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. The US delegation will be led by Marco Rubio, who has emphasized Trump’s commitment to achieving peace.
Trump remains hopeful about the discussions stating on Sunday that he expects “good results.” He suggested that Ukraine might sign a minerals deal with the US and hinted at the possible resumption of intelligence sharing. He also mentioned reviewing economic measures against Russia, saying, “I want them to want peace.”
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Role in Diplomacy
Saudi Arabia has played a mediator role in several global conflicts, including facilitating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and peace talks in Sudan, Gaza, Iran, and Syria. Hosting these negotiations in Jeddah strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a neutral ground for international diplomacy.
Key reasons Saudi Arabia was chosen as kingdom’s tightly managed media allows discreet discussions. Riyadh maintains strong ties with the US, Russia, Ukraine, and China, enabling effective mediation. As a major oil producer, Saudi Arabia seeks global stability to prevent market disruptions. With these high-stakes discussions in Jeddah, the world watches to see if they can pave the way for peace or shift international alliances further.
