The Trump administration insists Ukraine is “ready to move forward” with ceasefire negotiations with Russia, despite tensions between the two nations’ leaders.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are set to meet Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, aiming to push for a quick ceasefire without immediate security guarantees for Kyiv.
Tensions flared ten days ago when US President Donald Trump publicly clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, accusing him of stalling peace efforts. In response, Trump briefly paused military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Despite the friction, a senior US official described the Saudi talks as a sign of Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate. Zelensky, also visiting the Gulf kingdom, is expected to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but will not directly participate in US-Ukrainian discussions. His delegation will be led by Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s national security adviser, along with foreign and defense ministers.
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Zelensky, facing mounting US pressure, has insisted on firm security guarantees before any peace deal, citing Russia’s history of violating past agreements. Meanwhile, Trump has threatened additional sanctions on Moscow, acknowledging that Russian forces are intensifying their attacks.
Amid the ceasefire talks, a lucrative minerals deal—previously derailed by the diplomatic rift—is reportedly back on the table. Ukraine has offered the US access to its rare earth mineral reserves in exchange for security commitments.
The strained US and Ukraine’s relationship has raised concerns in Kyiv. Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenk emphasized the importance of securing American support, warning that Ukraine would reject any deal that compromises its military position.
The diplomatic maneuvering comes as Ukraine’s military reports downing 130 Russian drones overnight, while a wave of Russian strikes over the weekend left at least 25 people dead.
Reported by BBC News.
