Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today, in advance of talks with the US aimed at bringing the war with Russia to an end.
Crown Prince bin Salman has played a mediating role in the conflict since 2022, which has included brokering hostage exchanges and hosting talks last month between the US and Russia.
The talks with bin Salman were arranged by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, who said the idea is to “get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well.”
On Tuesday, Ukrainian officials will travel to Washington for the first time since President Zelensky’s disastrous public showdown with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, which saw the Ukrainian premier scolded before the world’s media for his desire to prolong the war and his lack of gratitude for US support. He was asked to leave early, before a much-trumpeted mineral deal could be signed.
Since that meeting, President Zelensky has changed his tune and indicated he is willing to accept a US economic deal quickly as a prelude to peace with Russia.
The turnabout came after President Trump announced he would be withholding military aid and intelligence from Ukraine.
President Zelensky will not be attending the talks in Washington, but he said he hoped they would “move quickly and effectively.”
“On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps,” Zelensky said in a post on X.
“Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively.”
President Zelensky has called for a temporary truce on sea and in the air, which Moscow has rejected.