Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has traveled to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on March 10, ahead of pivotal discussions between Ukrainian and US officials aimed at ending the war with Russia. The talks come at a critical juncture for Kyiv, as the United States, once Ukraine’s staunch ally, has shifted its wartime policies, engaging directly with Moscow while halting military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia, which has played a mediating role since Russia’s 2022 invasion, is hosting the meeting. The Crown Prince has previously facilitated prisoner exchanges and mediated talks between Russia and the US. The March 11 discussions between US and Ukrainian officials will be the first since a contentious Oval Office meeting between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. The agenda is expected to include a bilateral minerals deal and strategies to end the conflict.
Facing mounting pressure from President Trump, who is pushing for a rapid resolution to the war, Zelensky has sought to align with US priorities while advocating for security guarantees that Kyiv deems essential for any peace agreement. However, Zelensky has announced he will not personally attend the talks, delegating his chief of staff, foreign and defense ministers, and a senior military official to represent Ukraine.
In a statement on social media, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to constructive dialogue, stating, “Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively.”
US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been coordinating the talks, revealed that the discussions aim to establish a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire. Zelensky has proposed a truce in the air and at sea, along with a prisoner exchange, as a test of Russia’s willingness to end the war. However, Moscow has dismissed the idea of a temporary truce, labeling it a tactic to buy time for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader has also expressed readiness to finalize a minerals deal with the US, which would create a joint fund from the sale of Ukrainian minerals. Washington views this agreement as vital for maintaining its support for Kyiv.
As US backing wavers, Zelensky has urged European allies to increase their support. Ukraine’s battlefield position has become increasingly precarious, with its forces in Russia’s Kursk region nearly encircled by Russian troops. Open-source maps indicate that Ukrainian forces, which entered Kursk last summer, are now at risk of being cut off.
Russia currently controls approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Russian forces have intensified their offensive in the eastern Donetsk region and have launched a barrage of aerial attacks, including 1,200 guided bombs, 870 drones, and over 80 missiles in the past week alone, according to Zelensky.
The outcome of these talks could significantly shape the trajectory of the conflict, as Ukraine navigates dwindling US support and escalating Russian aggression.