A senior US State Department official has said that Ukraine’s leadership appears ready to move forward with the US demand for a ceasefire process with Russia. This statement comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz prepare to travel to Saudi Arabia for Tuesday’s talks with Ukrainian representatives.
According to the official, the presence of high-ranking US officials in Saudi Arabia is a strong sign that the US wants to sit down with Ukraine and push for a ceasefire process. The talks will focus on finding a framework for peace to try and end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump has been putting pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to quickly agree to a ceasefire with Moscow—though without offering an immediate security guarantee. This pressure followed a public clash between the two leaders at the White House, where Trump claimed that Zelensky was not yet ready to end the fighting.
Zelensky, meanwhile, has expressed hope for results that could bring peace closer while maintaining strong support for Ukraine. His team, represented by head of office Andriy Yermak along with the national security adviser and foreign and defence ministers, is set to participate in the talks, although Zelensky himself is not expected to attend formally.
The ongoing discussions come after a period of tension that saw the US pause military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following the heated exchange. Trump has hinted at lifting the intelligence pause if Ukraine shows serious commitment to achieving a ceasefire.
These developments occur against the backdrop of a prolonged conflict that began in February 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As the war continues, the US and its allies remain determined to secure a peaceful resolution, while Russia faces ongoing sanctions over its actions in Ukraine.
