Historic Jeddah Talks Seek Ceasefire in Ukraine Conflict
US and Ukraine engage in significant discussions in Saudi Arabia, fostering peace initiatives amid ongoing war with Russia.
In a pivotal diplomatic effort, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for facilitating high-level talks with Ukraine in Jeddah.
During a press briefing alongside US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and senior Ukrainian officials, Rubio acknowledged the Saudi leadership's instrumental role in making the discussions possible.
He stated, 'I want to personally thank – we both want to thank – the team in Saudi Arabia, his majesty, for hosting us, for making this possible.'
The negotiations, held on Tuesday, included a proposal from the United States aiming for a ceasefire with Russia.
Rubio asserted, 'We hope that they’ll say yes, that they’ll say yes to peace.
The ball is now in their court.' This initiative follows Ukraine's endorsement of a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, contingent upon compliance from the Russian side.
A joint statement issued on Tuesday indicated that the US would resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine immediately, marking a significant shift in policy in support of the Ukrainian military amid its efforts against Russian advances.
According to the US Department of State, the Jeddah talks have reportedly made noteworthy progress toward peace in Ukraine, with commitments discussed on both sides to explore potential resolutions.
The talks were conducted under the auspices of Saudi Arabia, led by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Andriy Yermak, the chief of the Ukrainian presidential office, and included Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Saudi officials present at the session included Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban.
In a statement from the Saudi Council of Ministers, the commencement of these talks was welcomed as an effort to bring an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The council emphasized that this diplomatic initiative underscores the Kingdom's balanced relations with various stakeholders and its commitment to global security and peace, highlighting dialogue as a fundamental means of resolving conflicts and reconciling differing perspectives.