In a major development, a top Trump administration official announced on Thursday that he would be traveling to Saudi Arabia to meet with Ukrainian representatives for talks about a ceasefire to pause Russia’s invasion. This move comes in the wake of escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with the latter carrying out a full-scale military offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff, who serves as U.S. President Donald Trump’s special Middle East envoy, stated that discussions are underway to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or Jeddah. The main objective of this meeting would be to establish a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire.
Witkoff also mentioned that President Trump believes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken positive steps towards reconciliation after their confrontation at the White House last Friday. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, was in Brussels for emergency talks with European leaders.
At the talks, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who currently holds the European Union’s rotating presidency, stated that they would be taking decisive steps to arm themselves faster, smarter, and more efficiently than Russia. This sentiment was echoed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who put forward a plan to loosen budget rules and encourage member countries to invest approximately $863 billion in defense over the next four years.
Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for the support from the EU, stating that they feel the solidarity and it is of great importance to them. French President Emmanuel Macron also emphasized the need for EU members to take decisive steps forward, while expressing concerns about the shifting support from the U.S. under President Trump.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that France is now sharing intelligence with Ukraine, in a move that followed the United States’ decision to cut off intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. This decision was announced by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who stated that the U.S. had temporarily suspended sharing intelligence with Kyiv. However, this move could be short-lived as Zelenskyy has expressed his readiness for peace talks with Russia.
The recent tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been ongoing since 2014 when Russia unilaterally seized Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. Ukraine has been demanding the restoration of its internationally recognized borders, while Russia currently holds about a fifth of Ukrainian territory, including parts of eastern Ukraine. Russia has made it clear that they have no intention of returning any of this territory to the Kyiv government.
The United States has been a crucial ally for Ukraine since the start of the war in 2014, providing them with significant intelligence and military aid. However, President Trump ordered the suspension of military aid to Ukraine earlier this week, adding to the already tense situation.
In conclusion, the upcoming meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia is a significant step towards finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. With the support of the EU and other allies, there is hope for a ceasefire and a lasting peace agreement. The future of Europe should not be decided in Washington or Moscow, but through diplomatic efforts and cooperation between all parties involved.
