President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a day before talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials that Washington hopes will deliver substantial progress towards ending Ukraine's war with Russia.
The United States, once Ukraine's main ally, has upended its policy on the conflict in its stated pursuit of a rapid end to the fighting, engaging directly with Moscow while stopping military assistance and intelligence sharing for Ukraine, which Russian troops invaded at scale in 2022.
Grappling with the new approach in the White House, Ukraine has pushed for "pragmatic" relations after a disastrous Oval Office encounter between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump descended into acrimony last month.
Zelenskyy is expected later on Monday to meet the Saudi crown prince, whose country has played a mediating role since Russia's invasion, including brokering prisoner exchanges and hosting last month's talks between Moscow and Washington.
Talks on Tuesday between U.S. and Ukrainian officials are the first official session since Zelenskyy's abortive White House meeting, and Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said he had high hopes.
"I think that we're going over there with an expectation that we're going to make substantial progress," he said in an interview with Fox News.
Asked if he thought Zelenskyy would return to the U.S. to sign a minerals deal this week, Witkoff said: "I am really hopeful. All the signs are very, very positive."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a more cautious note, saying there were still details to be worked out on the minerals deal. He added that the talks could be a success without an accord being signed and stressed the need to gauge Kyiv's readiness to make concessions to reach peace.
Under huge pressure from Trump, Zelenskyy has been at pains to show that Kyiv is committed to ending the war soon, despite failing to win the U.S. security guarantees that Kyiv sees as vital for any peace deal.
Zelenskyy has said he will not attend Tuesday's talks with U.S. officials, and the Ukrainian delegation will include his chief of staff, his foreign and defense ministers and a top military official in the presidential administration.
"On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps," Zelenskyy said in a post on X. "Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively."
U.S. officials said they were planning to use the meeting in part to determine whether Kyiv is willing to make material concessions to Russia to end the war.
One U.S. official said: "We want to see if the Ukrainians are interested not just in peace, but in a realistic peace."
Trump said on Sunday he expected good results out of the upcoming talks, adding that Washington had "just about" ended a suspension of intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Trump on Monday he hoped the talks in Saudi Arabia would have a positive outcome and enable Washington to end its pause of U.S. aid and intelligence to Ukraine, his spokesperson said.
Rubio said Ukraine was already receiving all U.S. defensive intelligence. "All the notion of the pause in aid broadly is something I hope we can resolve ... I think what happens tomorrow will be key to that," he said.
FRAMEWORK FOR AN AGREEMENT
Witkoff, who has been arranging the talks, has said the idea is to "get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well".
Zelenskyy has called for a truce in the air and at sea, as well as a prisoner exchange, in what he says could be a test of Russia's commitment to ending the war.
Moscow has rejected the idea of a temporary truce, which has also been proposed by Britain and France, saying it was a bid to buy time for Kyiv and prevent its military collapse.
Zelenskyy has said Kyiv is ready to sign the minerals deal with the U.S., which would create a joint fund from the sale of Ukrainian minerals. Washington says it is crucial to secure continued U.S. backing.
With U.S. support in question, Zelenskyy has been urging his European allies to ramp up their support as Kyiv's battlefield position deteriorates and it faces mounting pressure to retreat from Russia's Kursk region.
Ukrainian troops that stormed into the Kursk region last summer are nearly surrounded by Russian forces, open source maps show.
However, Kyiv's top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on Monday his troops in the Kursk region were not at risk of encirclement, despite a recent counteroffensive by Russian forces that has included North Korean troops.
Russia holds around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea which it annexed in 2014, and its troops are also pressing in the eastern Donetsk region, having ramped up drone and missile strikes on cities and towns far from the front.
Russia has launched 1,200 aerial guided bombs, nearly 870 attack drones and more than 80 missiles at Ukraine in the past week alone, Zelenskyy has said.
© Thomson Reuters 2025.
41 Comments
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TaiwanIsNotChina
Word is that Marco has been instructed to make territorial demands of Ukraine. Zelenskyy should reject those demands publicly so we can take corrective action on the filth proposing them.
kurisupisu
Mohammed bin Salman certainly knows how to deal with enemies.
I’m sure that the discussion was very ….tactical…
Underworld
The rumor that I have heard is that Trump will withhold intelligence unless Zelenskyy steps down.
He should refuse.
Newgirlintown
Don’t worry, Trump’s going to end the war on day one of his presidency.
Hang on a minute …
Underworld
That’s what they should be asking the Russians. It’s Putin who doesn’t want peace.
John-San
The damage is done for the USA as for respect and international standing. I myself wear a "I am not USAmerican" T shirt when overseas, This is avoid any repercussion for their fascism and alining and aiding Russia like a Hawk Tuah in my meals. Why are the USA there anyway. There present in will only make any negotiation very difficult. Even if Zelensky is replace the USA will still be right in Russian pockets and still will with held any support military or politically. No Russian is the world's new play maker. So up to the world to make in so unworkable for Russia that they have give concession. Down with Fascist USA, Hoo Hah the Free World.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Still Putin's War. A revolution doesn't suck in outside tanks against the will of their operators.
TaiwanIsNotChina
What concessions russia has to make? Uh, we'll get to that!!!
TaiwanIsNotChina
It's like these manchildren from the US don't know the history of the Korean War, for example, which had to be fought to a standstill FIRST and then an armistice was negotiated.
stormcrow
“Please, sir, may I have some more?”
This is so outrageous! We should be thanking Ukraine for their sacrifice. They’re the ones dying by the tens of thousands at the hands of a cruel invader. We should be the ones bending over backwards to help Ukraine. Instead by doing nothing we’re helping Putin achieve his aims. If Putin should win this thing, Trump should be seated with Putin at their victory parade.
geronimo2006
Ukraine is stuffed. The Trump administration are not on Ukrain's side, and have publicly stated so. Trump will demand Ukraine effectively surrender to all of Russia's demands, including the removal of Zelenskyy. Trump just wants a quick peace, and couldn't care less how many Ukrainians die while he withholds intel and aid in doing so.
Underworld
Zelenskyy is willing to make concessions for security guarantees. What is the US willing to do? If they can’t provide security guarantees, expect nothing from Ukraine.
In the meantime, what concessions are the US asking from Russia? It’s Putin who is not willing to give up anything. And it’s Putin who doesn’t want peace.
TokyoLiving
Don't give away the country to the MAGA regime for a mess of pottage..
Make peace only with Russia and you'll be better off..
quercetum
The U.S. went after Russia and it has not gone well. Underestimated the Russian army and thought they could win without committing troops.
This one just a few years. At least they had more resolve in Afghanistan and Iraq. Even more in Vietnam.
Underworld
quercetum
What are you talking about? Russia invaded Ukraine. Nothing to do with the US.
Some dude
The United States, once Ukraine's main ally, has upended its policy on the conflict in its stated pursuit of a rapid end to the fighting, engaging directly with Moscow while stopping military assistance and intelligence sharing for Ukraine...
To be fair, I think at least 75,017,613 Americans still understand and hate the fact that what their government is doing is craven submission to Russia. The rest - either those who voted for the felon, or those who couldn't be bothered at all - are complicit, and should never be forgiven.
quercetum
I actually agree with this. And instead the country that is the beacon of democracy just sits and watch. They’re your fellow democratic brothers. Why won’t you help Ukraine fight?
Don’t you think you should help Zelenskyy defeat Russia? If you’re not going to fight, then end the war. The POSTUS is doing the right thing.
The freedom fighters from the home of the brave cheer on Zelenskyy like spectators at a pit bull dog fight.
Mr Kipling
I see reality has not quite arrived for some of the posters on JT. With US support the Ukrainians were losing heavily. Now they have lost that support, they are getting hammered. They lack man power more than anything else. There is no fix for that. Those that want to fight have already signed up (many have died). Europe has little to offer if it wanted to and that doesn't help the man power problem. The pre Trump plans of both Republican and Democrat administrations to weaken Russia have failed. Trump( not a fan btw) wants no part of this and isn't going to waste any more lives and money to save face.
Those who want a Ukraine victory please answer a simple question..
How is Ukraine going push the Russian out of the Dombas and Crimea? Where is this magical army coming from?
Tokyo Guy
Mr KiplingToday 08:06 am JST
I see reality has not quite arrived for some of the posters on JT.
Indeed. The fact that the Russians are losing around a thousand men every day and are using donkeys on the battlefield seems to be hard to swallow for our resident Putin simps.
Blacklabel
Bern hearing this “they losing 1000 men a day”! for 4 years now.
The math doesn’t add up.
Sounds just like the 2022 narratives about being out of missiles and fighting with shovels without even a blanket in winter.
Underworld
Mr Kipling
No. They were not. Russia have fought themselves, at great cost, to a standstill.
Now, is the time to support Ukraine.
But if the US won’t, then they will fight with Europe’s support.
Underworld
Blacklabel
True.
Yes it does. Russia have pretty much culminated on the battlefield.
bass4funk
Such is life
I wear MAGA and never had a problem for the past 9 years. I think people should express themselves anyway they wish, proud to be American, no need to be ashamed regardless who is in President
I’m not sure where liberals get this nonsense from, not sure whether to laugh or sigh…
Russia is not going away, isolating them won’t work or stop them, best thing to do is to engage in dialogue, I don’t even like the Saudis, but we do need them and isolating them would equally be counterproductive. Sometimes you need to sit down with your adversaries and people you just can’t stomach, it’s business, emotions should not be a part of this. It helps no one.
Blacklabel
nah mathematics tells me no.
Blacklabel
yeah for about 3 weeks.
Underworld
Blacklabel
then they will fight with Europe’s support.
That’s what they said three years ago.
Blacklabel
Only with USA money, right?
So Europe could have handled this the whole time like they will from now?
but instead they and Ukraine just took advantage of that doddering fool we had as President to take 150 billion dollars of our money?
3 weeks without us.
Underworld
Blacklabel
That’s what they said three years ago.
No. They had no US money when Russia first invaded.
Who knows? Luckily, the US was looking out for Ukraine, Europe and itself and sent aid to Ukraine.
$66 billion. The doddering fool is Trump and he’s being played by Putin.
It’s been over a week already.
Sh1mon M4sada
Lets not forget Zelensky insisted on visiting Trump at the White house, and whilst being hosted (with reluctance) he took a stance that was a clear contradiction with USA's bipartisan position on Ukraine lost territories.
Dems + Gops were consistently against taking back Crimea or Donbas. Support were given to defend, if Ukraine can't defend, then a bit of self awareness is in order.
Nothing wrong with negotiations whilst being aware of your own weakness. Let's be clear here when Blinken said USA supported Ukraine, he didn't intend for it to be construed as being dragged into a conflict to take back lost territories.
Obama didn't try to take it back, neither did Trump 1.0, or Biden. Why would Zelensky insist on that?
Underworld
Sh1mon M4sada
No, they weren’t.
Sh1mon M4sada
The evidence say otherwise. What did Obama do when Putin waltzed into Crimea?
Underworld
Sh1mon M4sada
No, they weren’t.
What evidence?
He placed sanctions on Russia.
HopeSpringsEternal
Walls rapidly closing in on Ukraine, as DJT's Admin not interested in funding a forever war that Ukraine cannot win, while threatening global stability & fueling inflation.
DJT global security agenda prioritizes Iran non WMD proliferation & global WMD reductions with Russia & China
HopeSpringsEternal
Turns out MOST voters in US, EU, Ukraine and Russia also want Peace in Ukraine and more so every day.
DJT simply listening to the will of the voters, who elected him to end $Expensive Global Proxy War threatening Security, fueling inflation and risking WWIII escalation.
GuruMick
US says they are hoping for a "realistic peace " what does this mean ?
Capitulation to Russia and "raw "lol , I mean "rare " minerals to USA.
Egg prices high in America because of the demand for eggs on Trumps face.
Sh1mon M4sada
That's not the same as taking back is it?
Trump, Vance heaped sanctions on Russia too.
Not Obama, not Trump, not Biden, none had any intention of trying to take back territories, that's the point Zelensky couldn't let go of, and insisting on coming all the way to the White House to publicly start an unnecessary spat with men who just wants to end sufferings, sigh.
WoodyLee
Good News,
Shut this war down and save lives, Ukrainian and Russian youngsters deserve better than dying in trenches.
quercetum
Underworld
It’s more complicated than that. Even though the former Soviet Union collapsed, Russia is not an ally of the U.S. who was and is heavily involved with Ukraine. They could have committed troops at some point in the first year is the 20/20 hindsight but the US leader decided to wait and see.
Keir Starmer
“The only response to Putin is force. We will deploy our forces in Ukraine provided we receive American guarantees. We were 3 years late in responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
I take the stance of Trump and Starmer. Either negotiate for peace or be commuted to fighting Russia and not leave your Ukrainian brothers of democracy hanging.
The worst is just sitting watching and cheering.
JJE
Russia will make NO concessions. It is holding all the Trump cards.
Since the Kursk cauldron has boiled, the other guy is holding an even weaker hand.
Telling that they don't want him at the talks!
Yermak is the power behind the throne and you'll notice from photos of the Oval-Office-skirmish that he turned up in a particular type of clothing (which he had never done before).
Russia doesn't want/need a ceasefire. It will only stand for its common-sense plan implemented to end the conflict once and for all - including legally observed measures, such as delineated borders amongst others, that address the root causes of this provoked conflict. Otherwise, it will keep going.
Sh1mon M4sada
It means NATO eastward march Clinton style is no longer viable.
I get the argument, that Ukraine is the buffer for Europe's security. But that can only work if Europe didn't rely on Russia for energy and economic security. The EU got greedy...
HopeSpringsEternal
Putin & DJT recognize if politicians in EU and elsewhere, presently support this global proxy war in Ukraine, they're either badly damaged or thrown out of office. Why?
Most Voters Everywhere Want Peace in Ukraine
HopeSpringsEternal
Most important Ukraine war supporters are Leaderless Democrats in DC, now in disarray, badly wounded politically with their lowest party ratings post WWII.
Fraud DOGE's uncovering's fueling above implosion of Democratic Party, triggering public outrage in the US.
Zelenskyy needs to 'read the room' and step aside soon, for the sake of Ukraine's survival and recovery.
isabelle
The US did not "go after" Russia. The war was started by Putin, and Putin alone.
We will keep reminding you all of this fact.
Strange use of "you" there. Many are helping Ukraine fight.
It's Trump that is the issue, not the rest of us.
Most voters want Putin to remove his invading hordes of murderers, thieves, rapists, and child abductors; pay his reparations; and submit to his war crimes trial.
Yes, Putin should never have started it. But that's what conquest-hungry dictators do, as we have seen throughout history. This is why the free world must stop them.
Sadly, Trump is too stupid/enthralled by Putin to understand that, and would rather reward the aggressor than help the innocent victim.
I see our Kremlin, CCP and MAGA line-spouting automatons arrived long ago.