Zelensky in Saudi Arabia for support after clash with Trump in US

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought support in Saudi Arabia after a dispute with his American counterpart Donald Trump during a highly contentious White House meeting late last month.

The Ukrainian leader met with Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, the Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Tuesday. 

During the meeting the crown prince underscored the kingdom's support for international efforts to resolve Ukraine's crisis and achieving peace, it added.

The meeting comes ahead of crucial talks between Ukrainian and US officials, following a February 28 Oval Office meltdown between Zelensky and Trump that derailed the Ukraine-US mineral resources agreement.

Bin Salman reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's support for global efforts to resolve Ukraine’s conflict with Russia and achieve peace, as Washington, once Kiev’s strongest ally, has shifted its stance, prioritizing a swift end to the war by engaging with Moscow directly while halting military aid and intelligence sharing with the ex-Soviet republic.

In response, Ukraine has sought “pragmatic” ties with Washington, especially after the Oval Office dispute, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance repeatedly criticized Zelensky, marking an unprecedented incident where a sitting US president openly attacked a visiting head of state.

For his part, Zelensky expressed his “gratitude and appreciation” for Riyadh’s efforts, “highlighting its pivotal role in the Middle East and around the world”, SPA reported.

Saudi Arabia has maintained its role as a mediator since Russia’s war against it neighbor by facilitating prisoner exchanges and hosting peace talks between Washington and Moscow, as the upcoming US-Ukraine meeting marks the first formal session since the White House blowup.

Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy to West Asia, expressed optimism about achieving progress, even hinting at a possible minerals deal between Kiev and Washington, adding that Zelensky ultimately apologized to Trump in a letter after the unruly public argument at the Oval Office.

This is while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has adopted a more cautious tone, noting that while the minerals agreement remains under discussion, the success of negotiations does not hinge solely on signing the mineral resources agreement.

US halts intelligence support to Ukraine amid Trump-Zelensky row: Officials

The Trump administration has reportedly suspended Washington’s intelligence support to Kiev, amid tensions with Zelensky of Ukraine over a peace deal with Russia.

Facing intense pressure from Trump, Zelensky has strived to demonstrate Kiev’s commitment to end the war quickly, even though it has not secured the US security guarantees it considers essential for any peace agreement.

“On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively,” Zelensky said in a post on X.

The Ukrainian leader announced that he would not attend the Tuesday talks, delegating his chief of staff, foreign and defense ministers, and a top military official to represent Ukraine, stressing the importance of quick and effective decisions, reiterating Kiev’s openness to realistic proposals.

Meanwhile, US officials revealed their goal is to assess whether Ukraine is willing to make tangible concessions to Russia to secure peace, questioning whether Kiev seeks not just peace, but “realistic peace.”

Trump said on Sunday that he expected good results out of the upcoming talks, adding that Washington had “just about” ended a suspension of intelligence sharing with Kiev.

Russia launches attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure

Russia’s Ministry of Defense has reported that its forces have carried out a series of strikes on Ukraine

While Russia has currently intensified its attacks on Ukraine, launching air strikes on Kiev and other regions, Witkoff mentioned that the negotiations aim to lay the groundwork for a peace agreement and a ceasefire.

Zelensky has stressed that he seeks a truce in air and sea operations and a prisoner exchange as tests of Russia’s sincerity. This is while the Kremlin dismisses the temporary truce proposal, labeling it a tactic to delay the military collapse of Ukraine.

With US support wavering, Zelensky has been rallying European allies for stronger backing as Ukraine’s battlefield position weakens, facing increased pressure in the Kursk region. Russia continues to hold significant Ukrainian territory and has escalated missile and drone attacks, with over 1,200 aerial bombs and hundreds of strikes reported in the past week.

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