The U.S. and Ukraine have held their first diplomatic meeting since last month’s heated White House exchange between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The talks took place in Saudi Arabia, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the American delegation and Ukraine represented by Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Both leaders were absent from the discussions.
The meeting follows Zelenskyy’s letter to Trump, in which he expressed willingness to negotiate a minerals deal with the U.S. in exchange for continued support. Trump had previously paused all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, sparking concerns about Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense against Russia. Despite tensions, officials described the talks as “constructive,” with Rubio emphasizing the need for both Ukraine and Russia to make concessions to reach a ceasefire.
The negotiations come amid escalating violence, with Russia recently shooting down over 300 Ukrainian drones in the largest such attack since the invasion began. While three people were reported dead and 18 injured, including children, no large-scale damage was confirmed. The attack further underscores the urgency of diplomatic efforts to end the war.
As discussions progress, both nations will need to navigate complex geopolitical interests. With Trump prioritizing economic agreements over direct military aid, the outcome of these talks could significantly impact Ukraine’s strategy moving forward.
