Ukrainian, U.S. delegations arrive in Saudi Arabia for high-stakes talks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and head of the Ukrainian President’s Office Andriy Yermak reported the information.

“The team is on site. We are preparing to work. Protecting Ukrainian interests, having a clear vision of ending the war, and working effectively with our American partners,” Yermak wrote.

Marco Rubio, in turn, noted that he met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and thanked him for “Saudi Arabia’s hospitality in hosting meetings on Ukraine this week.”

Negotiations in Saudi Arabia

The negotiations in Saudi Arabia will be the first official meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. representatives following a dispute at the White House.

On the American side, the talks will include Marco Rubio, U.S. President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Representing Ukraine will be Andriy Yermak, his deputy Pavlo Palisa, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi announced that in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian, and American delegations will discuss bilateral relations, strategic partnership, and the path to peace.

Meanwhile, the U.S. plans to use the meeting with the Ukrainian delegation to assess whether Ukraine is willing to make material concessions to Russia in exchange for ending the war.

The U.S. Secretary of State expressed hope that Washington’s suspension of military aid could be “resolved” during crucial discussions in Saudi Arabia.