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US, Ukraine planning peace talks in Saudi Arabia

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The Big Story

US, Ukraine planning peace talks in Saudi Arabia

U.S. and Ukrainian officials are looking to set up a meeting next week in Saudi Arabia aimed at structuring the framework for a ceasefire with Russia and establishing a peace deal.

© iStock

The meeting signals a thawing of relations between the U.S. and Ukraine, which ruptured abruptly following an explosive Oval Office confrontation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“We are now in discussion to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or even potentially Jeddah,” U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff told reporters on Thursday.

“So the city is moving around a little bit, but it will be Saudi Arabia. And I think the idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well.”

Zelensky has sought to repair relations with Trump following the Oval Office debacle, the fallout from which has included Trump halting military assistance to Ukraine and cutting off intelligence sharing with the Ukrainians, harming Kyiv’s ability to hit high-value Russian targets.

Zelensky sent a letter to the president and posted on social media overtures to the power of the U.S. and his intent to sign a minerals deal with the president that was shelved in the aftermath.

“I hope we get things back on track with the Ukrainians and everything resumes,” Witkoff said, but he noted the decision rests with Trump.

“I think those are all decisions of the president, but I think he felt that Zelensky’s letter was a very positive first step.”

Read the full report at TheHill.com.

 

Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.

 

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