United States and Ukrainian officials have confirmed plans to meet in Saudi Arabia next week to discuss a potential peace framework aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
The meeting follows Washington’s decision to suspend military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv earlier this week—just days after a heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed his participation in the talks, stating that discussions are ongoing regarding the exact location.
“We are now in discussions to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or even potentially Jeddah. So the city is moving around a little bit, but it will be Saudi Arabia,” Witkoff told reporters outside the White House on Thursday.
“I think the idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well.”
Zelenskyy also announced his plans to travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday, accompanied by a delegation of officials. He expressed hopes of engaging in discussions with US representatives.
“I am scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia to meet with the Crown Prince. After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with American partners,” Zelenskyy said in his evening address on Thursday. “Ukraine is most interested in peace.”
This will mark the first high-level meeting between US and Ukrainian officials since the February 28 encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy, which reportedly escalated into a shouting match, culminating in the Ukrainian president being asked to leave the White House.
Following the altercation, Trump severed intelligence-sharing and military aid to Ukraine. However, on Tuesday, he revealed that he had received a letter from Zelenskyy in which the Ukrainian leader expressed willingness to engage in negotiations.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Trump suggested that progress was being made in discussions with both Ukraine and Russia, though he did not elaborate on specific details.
“I think what’s going to happen is Ukraine wants to make a deal, because I don’t think they have a choice,” he said.
“I also think that Russia wants to make a deal because in a certain different way – a different way that only I know, only I know – they have no choice either.”
Witkoff noted that Zelenskyy has been apologetic about the White House dispute in recent days and has conveyed his appreciation for continued engagement.
Regarding the potential signing of a minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine, Witkoff remained uncertain.
“We’ll see if he follows through,” he said.
The proposed deal is widely viewed as Kyiv’s effort to strengthen ties with the new US administration while Washington explores diplomatic channels with Moscow to resolve the war.
According to US officials, the agreement could deepen economic cooperation between Washington and Kyiv while serving as a deterrent against further Russian aggression. The deal would grant the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, a strategic resource with applications in aerospace, electric vehicles, and medical manufacturing.
