On March 11, 2025, Saudi Arabia will host important discussions between Ukrainian and U.S. delegations, marking the latest effort to resolve the protracted conflict involving Ukraine and Russia. This meeting, confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, follows a week of intensified diplomatic efforts amid increasing strain between Ukraine and the United States, particularly over methods to conclude the war.
President Zelensky announced via social media his plans to begin next week with visits to Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with the Crown Prince. Following his meeting, his team will engage with their American counterparts. Zelensky stated, "The Ukrainian side will be clearly focused on constructive dialogue and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps," showcasing his commitment to finding peaceful resolutions.
Specifically, the Ukrainian delegation is set to feature key figures such as Andriy Yermak, Andriy Sybiga, Rustem Umerov, and Pavlo Palisa. Zelensky emphasized the urgency of their discussions, stating, "Ukraine strives for peace from the first seconds of this war. On the table are absolutely realistic proposals. The main thing is to move quickly and effectively." This suggests Ukraine’s strategy centers not only on securing immediate ceasefire conditions but also on establishing enduring frameworks for peace.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Uitkoff, who will participate, mentioned earlier discussions intended to "establish the framework for a peace agreement." He confirmed the meeting was planned, expressing hope for productive dialogue. An initial exchange of views is expected to include talks on reaching ceasefire agreements and discussing longer-term frameworks for sustaining peace.
Earlier confrontations between Trump and Zelensky, such as the heated exchange during Zelensky's visit to the Oval Office on February 28, have added tension to these diplomatic efforts. During this exchange, Trump criticized Zelensky for Ukraine's perceived reluctance to engage seriously with ceasefire proposals, which reportedly frustrated the Ukrainian government. Following this encounter, discussions about military aid and intelligence sharing from the U.S. to Ukraine reportedly waned, causing even more concern.
Keith Kellogg, the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia, indicated during his recent public appearances, including at the Council on Foreign Relations, Trump’s desire to bring about cessation of hostilities without portraying the situation as one side victorious over the other. Kellogg stressed the need for both sides to find common ground and work collaboratively to avoid entanglement in prolonged conflict with Russia.
Reflecting on the upcoming meeting, Ukrainian political analyst Oleg Saakyan pointed out the importance of American mediation, stating, "The U.S. wants to demonstrate detachment from both Ukraine and Russia, highlighting its role as the mediator rather than being seen as directly allied with either side." This suggests the U.S. aims to maintain some level of neutrality to effectively facilitate the negotiations.
Contrarily, some skepticism surrounds this meeting. Saakyan noted, "If the ceasefire agreement does not pave the way for sustainable peace and security guarantees, skepticism will prevail among the Ukrainian public and officials." This comment indicates the level of caution with which Ukraine approaches any proposed agreements, emphasizing the importance of thorough scrutiny of any terms set forth during the negotiations.
The United States recently convened with Russian officials on February 18, 2025, to discuss reestablishing diplomatic staff levels and promoting cooperation. After these discussions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced agreements to restore pre-Ukraine invasion numbers of embassy staff, highlighting aims to facilitate communication channels between the U.S. and Russia for future diplomatic engagements.
Meanwhile, Trump has recently stated his intentions to visit Saudi Arabia himself within the next six months, underlining the Middle Eastern nation’s increasing role as a diplomatic arena for U.S.-Russian and U.S.-Ukrainian discussions. The decision for these upcoming talks to take place outside the U.S. points to new strategies being deployed by the American administration.
Given these dynamic circumstances, the forthcoming meeting is set to draw considerable attention from domestic and international observers alike. With Zelensky and his team expected to confront challenging discussions, the potential outcomes from this meeting could significantly impact Ukraine's diplomatic strategies and its future relations with both the U.S. and Russia.