Senior officials meet in Jeddah to navigate the tensions caused by Trump’s withdrawal of support for Ukraine
As crucial talks between the US and Ukraine commence in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine has expressed its readiness to make every effort to achieve peace in the ongoing war with Russia. Despite the absence of Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump, high-level representatives have gathered to discuss ways to move forward. Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s chief of staff, arrived in Jeddah with a message of determination: “We are ready to do everything to achieve peace,” he told reporters.
The talks are taking place under heightened tensions, following a rift between President Zelenskyy and former President Trump, who had cut support for Ukraine after a highly publicised dispute. In the absence of both leaders, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz have joined the discussions.
Zelenskyy, while not directly present at the talks, indicated that Ukraine’s stance would be constructive, aiming for a peaceful resolution. Rubio, on his way to Jeddah, suggested that Washington’s goal was to determine whether Kyiv was willing to make the tough choices necessary to end the conflict or at least pause it.
The stakes are high for Ukraine, as the outcome of these talks could determine whether critical US military aid and intelligence sharing will resume. The recent breakdown in relations between Trump and Zelenskyy has complicated matters, with some US officials suggesting that Ukraine should hold elections or consider leadership changes.
Domestically, Zelenskyy’s approval ratings were temporarily boosted by his White House confrontation, and many Ukrainians are opposed to elections during the war. However, there is growing pressure on Zelenskyy to repair relations with the White House in light of the ongoing conflict.
In response to the pressure, Ukraine has sought to ease tensions with Trump, with Yermak writing in the Guardian that Ukraine values “strong American leadership” but emphasised the need for a “just and sustainable peace”. This comes as Trump’s interest in Ukraine has been linked to a potential deal involving the country’s mineral wealth, though it is unclear if this will be addressed in Jeddah.
While Europe has pledged to support Ukraine, they too have urged Zelenskyy to improve relations with the US. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed the importance of the Jeddah talks, urging the US and Ukraine not to waste this opportunity for peace.
Meanwhile, Russia has reacted to the loss of American support for Ukraine, celebrating Trump’s withdrawal but keeping a wary eye on the developments. Moscow continues to assert its own interests, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warning not to become overly optimistic about the US position.
On the battlefield, Russia has launched a renewed offensive in the Kursk region, regaining territory that had been taken by Ukrainian forces. In a show of defiance, Ukraine responded with its largest drone strike on Moscow since the war began, targeting the city and killing two people, igniting fires, and causing significant disruptions.
As the peace talks unfold, both sides remain on edge, with global eyes fixed on the negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
