Ukraine to convince US to renew aid in Saudi Arabia - FT
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine will attempt to persuade the US to restore intelligence and military support during talks in Saudi Arabia. The American delegation will be assured that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks a swift end to the war with Russia, according to the Financial Times.
According to officials involved in preparing for the talks, Kyiv intends to propose a partial ceasefire with Russia, covering long-range drone and missile strikes as well as military operations in the Black Sea, Financial Times reported. The aim is to use progress in negotiations to push Washington to reverse its decision to freeze intelligence-sharing and arms supplies.
One Ukrainian official stated that in the short term, Kyiv will prioritize strengthening ties with the United States. Meanwhile, two European officials said Kyiv views progress in ceasefire negotiations as a concession in exchange for the restoration of military and intelligence support.
The Financial Times recalled that last Thursday, Zelenskyy told EU leaders in Brussels that he seeks to establish a general framework agreement with the US, paving the way for more detailed deals on mineral resources and security guarantees.
"The broader deal would start with a cessation of aerial attacks, operations at sea and strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. It would continue with prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by the Russian authorities, measures intended to build confidence between the two sides," FT reported.
However, European officials who spoke with their Ukrainian counterparts ahead of the talks said Kyiv has not abandoned the idea of involving the US in implementing any potential ceasefire agreements.
They noted this could include, but not be limited to, the use of American satellites or signals intelligence to monitor compliance with the ceasefire.
Suspension of US aid and negotiations in Saudi Arabia
The US recently announced the official suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
The decision followed a heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on February 28.
Trump reportedly doubts Ukraine’s ability to survive even with renewed US military support and has been actively pushing for an end to the war.
On Monday, March 10, Zelenskyy arrived in Saudi Arabia for an official visit. A meeting between Ukrainian and US delegations is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, to discuss the possible resumption of aid to Kyiv.
Trump dismissed criticism that he has been relatively lenient toward Moscow, pointing to sanctions he threatened last week following the suspension of aid to Ukraine.
According to NBC News, US officials said a minerals deal alone would not be enough to persuade Trump to restore assistance and intelligence-sharing.
The US president reportedly wants Zelenskyy to make concessions, such as ceding territory to Russia, moving toward elections in Ukraine, or even stepping down from office.
