The delegations of the US and Ukraine have begun today’s peace talks in Jeddah.
Kyiv is represented in the talks by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
On the other side, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the highest-ranking US official in the talks.
“Ukraine wants peace and is ready to negotiate to end this war,” said the senior advisor to President Zelensky.
Kyiv is also expected to push the US towards resuming military aid and intelligence sharing after Washington suspended both last week.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that both aspects of US support could resume if Kyiv commits to a peace process.
Rubio said the initial suspension of aid came because, as he put it, “we felt the Ukrainians were not committed” to negotiations to end the war.
He added that if this changes, US policy is likely to change as well.
“I hope we have a really good meeting tomorrow and that we’ll be in a different place,” he added.
There have also been reactions from Europe.
European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen stated that the European security order is being shaken, with Russia’s increasingly aggressive stance and changes in US defense policy.
“Some believed Russia could be integrated into Europe’s economic and security architecture. Others hoped we could rely indefinitely on full American protection. The time for illusions is over,” she said.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also posted on social media, highlighting the importance of today’s US-Ukraine talks in Jeddah.
“Dear Americans, dear Ukrainians, don’t miss this opportunity. The whole world is watching you today in Jeddah. Good luck!” he wrote.
