The United States and Ukraine are set to hold high-stakes diplomatic talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, aiming to address the ongoing war with Russia and negotiate a minerals agreement. This will be the first formal meeting between the two nations since the tense exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on February 28. The talks are seen as a critical juncture in the evolving relationship between Washington and Kyiv, particularly as the U.S. has recently altered its stance on military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
Key Issues on the Agenda
1. Bilateral Minerals Agreement
One of the primary topics of discussion is a potential minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine. Ukraine possesses vast reserves of rare-earth elements and other critical minerals essential for high-tech industries, defense systems, and energy production. The U.S. sees this deal as an opportunity to secure access to these resources while also offering Ukraine economic benefits and indirect security assurances. The agreement is expected to involve significant American investments in Ukrainian mining operations, which could serve as an alternative means of support to Kyiv at a time when direct military assistance has been paused.
2. Efforts to End the War with Russia
The second major focus of the meeting will be exploring possible diplomatic pathways to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Moscow has seized approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, and the conflict has reached a prolonged and costly phase. With the U.S. now reassessing its role in the war and engaging directly with Moscow in separate talks, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to seek a resolution that could bring some form of stability to the region. The discussions in Saudi Arabia may serve as a platform for Washington to push for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow while also addressing Ukraine’s security concerns.
Recent Tensions Between the U.S. and Ukraine
The upcoming talks follow a period of strained relations between Washington and Kyiv. During their February 28 meeting at the White House, President Zelenskyy and President Trump had a heated exchange over U.S. military aid, intelligence sharing, and Ukraine’s war strategy. The fallout from that meeting led to the U.S. suspending military assistance to Ukraine and cutting off intelligence-sharing operations. Reports also indicate that the Trump administration is considering revoking the legal status of 240,000 Ukrainian refugees currently residing in the U.S., which would expose them to possible deportation.
Amid these tensions, U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have acknowledged that while the Saudi-hosted discussions are a step forward, significant challenges remain in rebuilding trust and ensuring continued cooperation between the two allies.
Who Will Represent Ukraine? Will Zelenskyy Attend?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of the negotiations. However, he is not likely to play a direct role in the official talks. Instead, Ukraine will be represented by a high-level delegation, including:
- Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to the President
- Andriy Sybiha, Foreign Minister
- Rustem Umerov, Defense Minister
This delegation will engage with American officials on both the minerals deal and the broader geopolitical discussions.
Why Saudi Arabia? The Kingdom’s Role as a Mediator
Saudi Arabia has increasingly positioned itself as a neutral powerbroker in global conflicts, leveraging its diplomatic influence to mediate disputes. The kingdom has previously facilitated prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and hosted U.S.-Russia negotiations on other global security matters.
Several factors make Saudi Arabia an attractive host for these discussions:
- Political Control and Privacy: The Saudi government exercises tight control over information and media, allowing for discreet negotiations.
- Balanced Relations: Riyadh maintains strong ties with Washington, Moscow, Kyiv, and Beijing, giving it leverage as a mediator.
- Economic and Strategic Interests: As a major oil producer, Saudi Arabia has a vested interest in global stability and seeks to minimize economic disruptions caused by prolonged conflicts.
In the past two years, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has worked to restore Saudi Arabia’s international reputation by playing a key role in global diplomacy. His government has brokered peace efforts in Sudan, Gaza, Iran, and Syria while maintaining strategic relations with Russia through OPEC+ and deepening ties with China.
Statements from World Leaders
As anticipation builds for the Saudi-hosted talks, world leaders have shared their perspectives.
- President Trump expressed optimism about the discussions, stating on Sunday that he anticipates “good results” from the negotiations. He also hinted at the possibility of lifting the intelligence-sharing pause with Ukraine and suggested that U.S. tariffs on Russian goods might be adjusted depending on the outcome of the talks. “I want them to want peace,” Trump said, implying that Ukraine should actively seek a diplomatic resolution.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is reportedly present in Saudi Arabia, indicating that Moscow is closely monitoring the discussions, even if not directly involved.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that while the talks are a step forward, significant obstacles remain in securing a lasting agreement.
What’s Next?
The outcome of the Jeddah talks will have major implications for Ukraine’s war strategy, its economic future, and its relationship with the U.S. If a minerals deal is successfully negotiated, it could provide Ukraine with a much-needed financial boost, albeit with strategic trade-offs. On the other hand, if the talks fail to produce a tangible roadmap for peace, Ukraine may find itself in an increasingly precarious position, particularly as the U.S. reevaluates its role in the war.
As the global community watches closely, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether diplomatic efforts can pave the way for a resolution or if the conflict will persist with no immediate end in sight.
