The Trump administration believes Ukrainian leadership is “ready to move forward” on the US demand for a ceasefire process with Russia, according to a senior U.S. State Department official.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz are scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia for Tuesday consultations with his Ukrainian counterparts.
President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on his Ukrainian counterpart, Voldy Zelensky, to accept the demand for a quick ceasefire with Moscow, but there was no immediate pledge of US security guarantees.
Ten days ago, the two clashed publicly at the White House, claiming that Zelensky wasn’t ready to end the battle.
Russian President Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
“The fact that they are here at an advanced level is a good indication for us that they want to sit down and that they are ready to move forward,” a State Department official said.
Zelensky will also meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Gulf Kingdom, but is not expected to play a formal role in consultations with Americans.
The Ukrainian team is represented by Andry Yahmack, the country’s national security adviser and head of the office of Zelensky, Minister of Foreign and Defense.
“We want results – both closer and continuing support for peace,” Zelensky said at the video address late Sunday.
Zelensky is under strong US pressure to make concessions ahead of peace talks, but he seeks solid security guarantees from Kiev, highlighting Putin’s breach of previous ceasefire deals.
The corresponding pressure the US has placed in Moscow to make concessions has not been made public.
Shortly after the White House line, Zelensky expressed regret over the incident and attempted to repair relations with the country’s biggest military supplier, the United States.
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff later said Trump received a letter from Zelensky, including an “apology” and a “sense of gratitude.”
Witkov said in Saudi Arabia, the US team wanted to discuss a “framework” for peace to end the Russian-Ukraine war.
The major mineral trade — derailed due to the line — is also reported to be returning to the Saudi Arabian agenda.
Ukraine has offered to grant the US access to US rare earth mineral reserves in exchange for US security guarantees.
The conflict in the White House caused the US to suspend all military aid to Ukraine and to halt sharing intelligence.
But when asked on Sunday if he would consider lifting the pause of intelligence, Trump replied: “Well, we just have it. I mean, we really have it and we want to do what we can to get serious about getting something done in Ukraine.” He did not provide any further details.
February 18 – In front of the US ukrane line in Washington – Rubio has spoken with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Saudi Arabia. This was a follow-up to a controversial phone conversation with Putin.
