Russia Selenskyj on meeting with USA: want to be constructive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi is cautiously optimistic about a meeting between his negotiating team and US representatives on an end to the Russian war of aggression. The negotiators will meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. "There are realistic proposals on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively," said Selenskyj on X. "Ukraine has sought peace from the first second of this war." They feel committed to a constructive dialog.
08.03.2025, 16:15
SDA
US special envoy Steve Witkoff had previously announced the talks. According to Selenskyj, the Ukrainian side will be represented at the talks by his chancellery chief Andrij Jermak, foreign minister Andrij Sybiha and defense minister Rustem Umjerow. Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression for more than three years.
Selensky confirmed his long-known plan to meet with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia on Monday. The country is also under discussion for a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin at a later date.
According to Selenskyj, Ukrainian diplomats in Kiev also held talks with representatives of Great Britain in order to bring peace closer. Diplomatic efforts should be intensified, said Selenskyj. Ukraine is doing everything it can to achieve a just and lasting peace.
Witkoff: Framework for first ceasefire
The US-Ukrainian meeting could take place in Riyadh or Jeddah - this is still being coordinated, Witkoff said this week. "I think the idea is to establish a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire." US President Trump had previously called on Zelenskyi to negotiate in the war.
In February, representatives of the US government had already met with their counterparts from Russia in Saudi Arabia to discuss an end to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Trump and Putin had agreed to resume their relations during a phone call in February.
