Saudi Arabia to host US-Ukraine talks on Russia conflict
Saudi Arabia is set to host high-level talks on Tuesday, bringing together the United States and Ukraine to discuss the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The talks, scheduled to take place in Jeddah, follow a tense exchange during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House on February 28, 2025, which strained relations between the two nations.
While Jeddah may seem like an unconventional venue for such critical discussions, Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has positioned itself as a neutral mediator with aspirations to broker peace.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in global diplomacy, including offering itself as a potential venue for face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Jeddah, a port city along the Red Sea, will host the talks. The reason for choosing Jeddah over Riyadh, where previous Russia-US talks were held, remains unclear. However, the Saudi government reiterated its commitment to facilitating “a lasting peace to end the Ukrainian crisis.”
Ukraine’s delegation will be led by President Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to lead the American team and meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Ahead of the discussions, Sybiha had a “constructive call” with Rubio, stressing the importance of securing a sustainable peace and ending the war as soon as possible.
The outcome of the talks in Jeddah could have significant implications for the three-year-old conflict and may shape future diplomatic efforts in the region.
