“If you want to end the war, you must make concessions and equality,” US President Donald Trump walks on this rule, and this is what his high-level delegation wants to reach during his meeting with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah.
US officials have explained that the Saudi meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, between the two delegations will determine the extent of Ukraine’s readiness to make tangible concessions to Russia in order to end the war that has been ongoing since February 2022.
One of the officials, who requested anonymity, said that the US delegation will also monitor signs that indicate that the Ukrainians are serious about improving relations with the Trump administration after the stormy meeting in the White House late last month, according to Reuters.
“Giving up territory”
He also stressed that “you cannot say I want peace but at the same time refuse to give up anything'”.
Another official explained that the US administration would like to see if the Ukrainians are interested not just in peace, but in a realistic peace,” adding: “If they are only interested in restoring the 2014 or 2022 borders, that might give you some indication,” apparently referring to the need for Kiev to give up some of the territory occupied by Russia.
It is noteworthy that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had traveled to Jeddah to hold bilateral talks with the Ukrainian delegation, which is led by Andriy Yermak, a senior aide to Zelensky.
Rubio is expected to be joined by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Relations between the US and Ukrainian presidents have taken a dramatic turn since February 28, following the angry meeting that brought them together at the White House.
Trump scolded his Ukrainian guest, considering that he was seeking to ignite a third world war, by refusing to make any concessions in order to stop the war with Moscow.
He also criticized him for not showing more gratitude to Washington, which has sent millions to aid Ukraine over the years The past three.
He also stopped a previously scheduled shipment of military aid to Kiev, and the US intelligence announced a temporary suspension of its work with the Ukrainian authorities, and the cessation of sharing intelligence information.
This exacerbated Ukrainian and European concerns alike, and prompted Zelensky to later stress his country’s commitment to peace, and its keenness to maintain strong relations with Washington.
