Ukraine-US Talks Begin in Saudi Arabia Amid Ongoing Conflict

The meeting, held at a luxury hotel in the Red Sea port city, saw U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian officials seated across from each other, with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister in attendance. While Rubio smiled for the cameras, the Ukrainian delegation remained solemn. Officials did not respond to reporters’ questions during the event.

The talks follow tense exchanges between Ukraine and the U.S. during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House on February 28. Ukrainian officials indicated that they plan to propose a ceasefire in the Black Sea to ensure safer shipping, limit missile strikes on civilians, and discuss a possible prisoner exchange.

Hours before the discussions, Russia intercepted 337 Ukrainian drones across 10 regions in what appeared to be the most extensive drone attack on Russia since the war began. The assault killed two and injured 18, including three children.

While Moscow has shown no signs of backing down, insisting that Ukraine must abandon its NATO aspirations and recognize Russian-occupied territories, the situation on the ground remains tense. Russian forces have continued to gain ground in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk. Moscow also reported a major drone attack targeting the capital, with over 70 drones downed, damaging buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure.

In addition to the war discussions, Kyiv is expected to sign a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, a key resource for American industry. However, Secretary Rubio emphasized that the deal is not a prerequisite for further talks and may take time to finalize.

While specific proposals for ending the war have not been outlined, Rubio stated that the talks aim to understand Ukraine’s position and evaluate the potential for diplomatic progress based on Russia’s demands.