Ukrainian and US delegations are set to discuss key issues in Saudi Arabia, focusing on resource agreements, military assistance, and negotiation formats with Russia. Mykhailo Podolyak emphasized the need for bilateral dialogue, while also ruling out a ceasefire without negotiation processes. Notable figures from both sides will participate in the discussions.
During the upcoming negotiations in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian and American delegations will address three primary aspects: the resource agreement, military assistance, and the structure of the negotiation process with Russia. Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office, shared these insights during a discussion on the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel.
Podolyak explicitly ruled out a unilateral ceasefire that would not facilitate further negotiations. He emphasized that the ceasefire and the signing of the mineral resources agreement are independent of each other and should be viewed as parallel processes.
“There are many discussions at this stage. There is direct communication between the administrations of the presidents about the need to meet in a bilateral format. This could certainly happen in Riyadh”, said Podolyak. He elaborated that President Zelenskyy will have an official meeting with Saudi Arabian representatives, followed by a bilateral meeting involving US and Ukrainian officials.
He outlined that the first aspect of the discussions pertains to the framework agreement between Ukraine and the United States, which is still under development. The second aspect highlights the critical military assistance that Ukraine seeks, particularly types of weaponry only the United States can provide, including missiles for the Patriot systems, in light of ongoing Russian missile attacks.
Furthermore, Podolyak notes that the final key aspect to be discussed is the potential format of negotiations with Russia, including the stages of discussions and the coordination of positions among Ukraine, Europe, and the United States.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the Ukrainian and US delegations are scheduled to convene in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, March 11. US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, indicated that the frameworks for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia will be a crucial topic during these talks. The Ukrainian delegation will be led by Andriy Yermak, while the US delegation will include prominent figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
In summary, the upcoming negotiations between Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia will focus on significant aspects such as resource agreements, military support, and the negotiation framework with Russia. Mykhailo Podolyak highlights the importance of these discussions, especially in the context of ongoing military threats. The alignment of positions among the involved parties is essential for progressing towards a peaceful resolution.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua
