US, Ukraine peace talks in Saudi next week.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to visit the Kingdom within the next month and a half. However, he did not specify an exact date for his trip. Trump’s statement has sparked speculation about the purpose and timing of his visit. While he did not elaborate on the agenda, his visit could involve discussions on political, economic, or diplomatic matters. The former president has maintained relationships with key figures in the region, and his visit may hold significance for future engagements. Observers will be watching closely for further details regarding Trump’s plans and the potential implications of his visit to the Kingdom in the coming weeks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he will travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday for a crucial meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. This visit comes ahead of diplomatic talks later in the week with U.S. officials, as Ukraine continues to seek support in its ongoing war with Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed on Thursday that a meeting with Ukrainian representatives is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia next week. He also revealed that discussions are ongoing regarding a framework for a peace agreement and a potential ceasefire.
Witkoff further noted that Trump was encouraged by Zelensky’s letter following last week’s tense meeting in the White House.
The meeting in Saudi Arabia is expected to be attended by key figures, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelensky. Media reports indicate that Rubio and other U.S. officials will depart for Riyadh on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Trump himself has confirmed that he plans to visit Saudi Arabia within the next month and a half, though he did not specify an exact date.
“I’m going to Saudi Arabia. They’ve agreed to do that, so I’m going to be going there,” Trump stated, hinting at a major investment deal between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
The planned meeting signals a potential thaw in relations between the U.S. and Ukraine following last week’s heated exchange between Trump and Zelensky. The fallout from that meeting led Washington to halt military aid to Ukraine and cut off intelligence-sharing with the Ukrainian armed forces, dealing a severe blow to Kyiv’s defense strategy.
As Zelensky prepares for talks in Saudi Arabia, he also met with European Union leaders in Brussels for an emergency summit focused on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and European security concerns. The summit saw EU leaders backing new defense spending plans, which aim to unlock billions of euros to strengthen the continent’s security.
With Trump signaling that Europe should take more responsibility for its own defense, the EU has been working on new initiatives to ramp up military spending. The 27 leaders of the bloc signed off on measures that would loosen budget restrictions, allowing EU nations to increase defense spending significantly.
A statement from the European Commission suggested that approximately 650 billion euros ($1.1 billion AUD) could be made available through these changes. Furthermore, EU leaders urged the Commission to explore additional ways to encourage greater military investments at the national level.
The summit also saw a significant proposal from French President Emmanuel Macron, who suggested sharing France’s nuclear force as part of a broader deterrence strategy. The idea received support from several Eastern European leaders but was met with strong opposition from Russia, which labeled it “extremely confrontational.”
Additionally, the EU leaders approved an ambitious plan to mobilize €800 billion to strengthen European defenses against perceived Russian threats. The move marks one of the most significant shifts in EU military strategy in recent years, reflecting growing concerns over regional security.
At the summit, Zelensky expressed his gratitude to EU leaders for their continued support while acknowledging concerns about America’s shifting stance. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming diplomatic meetings, stating that negotiations between Ukraine and the U.S.
The European summit comes just a week after tensions between Trump and Zelensky resulted in a breakdown of military aid and intelligence-sharing from Washington. As Kyiv faces growing uncertainties regarding U.S. support, Zelensky’s meetings in Saudi Arabia could prove crucial in determining the next steps for Ukraine’s international alliances and its ongoing fight against Russia.