US & Ukraine Begin Talks to End Ukraine-Russia War
In a bid to revive “pragmatic” ties and bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, officials from the United States and Ukraine met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The meeting comes after a disastrous summit at the White House last month, where US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clashed over a peace deal.
The tensions between the two countries escalated after the meeting, with each side trading barbs and accusations. However, it appears that both sides have decided to put their differences aside and engage in meaningful dialogue to find a solution to the crisis.
The meeting in Saudi Arabia was facilitated by the kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been actively involved in mediating international conflicts in recent years. The Crown Prince met with both Trump and Zelenskyy separately before bringing them together for talks.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, the US and Ukraine officials discussed a range of issues, including the ceasefire agreement reached in 2019 and the implementation of the Minsk agreements. The Minsk agreements, signed in 2015, aim to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian-backed separatists.
The meeting was seen as an opportunity for both sides to clear the air and reset their relationship. Zelenskyy had expressed his hopes that the meeting would revive “pragmatic” ties with the US, which have been strained in recent months.
In a statement, the Ukrainian President said, “We are committed to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict and to continuing our cooperation with the United States. We believe that this meeting will help to strengthen our ties and to move forward on a path of peace and stability.”
Trump also expressed his optimism about the meeting, saying, “We are looking for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine and we believe that this meeting will help us to achieve that goal.”
The meeting in Saudi Arabia came at a critical time, with tensions between Ukraine and Russia at a high point. Russia has been accused of violating the ceasefire agreement and has continued to support the separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The conflict in Ukraine has caused significant humanitarian suffering, with thousands of people killed and millions displaced. The conflict has also had a significant impact on the economy, with Ukraine’s GDP shrinking by over 10% in 2020.
In recent months, the US has been increasingly involved in the conflict, providing military aid to Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia. However, the White House meeting last month appeared to signal a shift in US policy, with Trump expressing skepticism about the conflict and questioning Ukraine’s commitment to peace.
The meeting in Saudi Arabia appears to have put those tensions aside, at least for now. The US and Ukraine officials are expected to continue their discussions in the coming weeks, with the goal of reaching a comprehensive agreement on the conflict.
The meeting is seen as a significant development in the conflict, which has been ongoing for over five years. It remains to be seen whether the US and Ukraine officials will be able to find a solution to the conflict, but the fact that they are talking is a positive step forward.
