11.03.2025 12:40
The valuable mineral agreement that Trump and Zelensky fought over is back on the table thanks to the Ukrainian leader's retreat. Talks for the signing of the valuable mineral agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine have begun in Saudi Arabia.
Diplomatic delegations from the USA and Ukraine met tomorrow in Saudi Arabia following the crisis that occurred during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House on February 28.
FIRST CONTACT AFTER THE FIGHT
Saudi Arabia is hosting diplomatic delegations from the USA and Ukraine tomorrow after a heated debate that took place between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance at the White House on February 28.
INTELLIGENCE SHARING BAN LIFTED
The US President stated yesterday that the ban on intelligence sharing with Ukraine has nearly ended and expressed hope for good results from the meetings with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe had stated that the decision to halt intelligence sharing was made to ensure Zelensky's cooperation with Trump regarding the initiation of peace talks with Russia. In addition to halting intelligence sharing, the US had also suspended military aid to Ukraine.
FIGHT BROKE OUT IN THE FIRST MEETING
During his visit to the White House, Trump became angry with Zelensky, saying, "You are gambling with the risk of a Third World War, and what you are doing is a great disrespect to this country." Following the crisis that erupted during the White House visit, Zelensky had to leave the US without signing the agreement that would grant Ukraine access to rare earth elements. Kiev hoped that this agreement would guarantee the continuation of US military support for Ukraine. The meetings to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, are expected to result in the signing of this agreement.
Saudi Arabia had also hosted talks between the US and Russia last month. It is being discussed that Saudi Arabia, seen as an ideal location for potential peace negotiations between Kiev and Moscow, also hosted the first face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Trump.
WHO WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETINGS?
Zelensky is expected to visit Saudi Arabia before the meetings in Jeddah. In a statement he made on Friday regarding the meetings, Zelensky said, "We continue to take necessary steps with our partners who want peace as much as we do. A lot of work will be done in Europe, America, and Saudi Arabia."
Zelensky announced that he would be accompanied by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov during his visit to Saudi Arabia. On the US side, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio will lead the Ukrainian talks, and Rubio will also meet with Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Sybiha had a phone call with Rubio on Friday before the meetings. Describing the conversation as "a constructive call," the two-sentence statement from the US State Department indicated that Rubio "emphasized President Trump's determination to end the war as soon as possible and stated that all parties need to take steps for sustainable peace."
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to a question from journalists regarding the meetings, saying, "What we expect is not important. What is important is what the US expects." Peskov also stated that Ukraine needs to decide whether it wants peace or not.