What to know ahead of talks between U.S., Ukraine in Saudi Arabia
The Hindu
Saudi Arabia to host U.S.-Ukraine talks amid tensions, positioning itself as a neutral ground for high-stakes negotiations.
Saudi Arabia is set to host talks on Tuesday (March 11, 2025) between the United States and Ukraine after an argument erupted during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s February 28 visit to the White House.
Also read: Zelenskyy calls Oval Office spat with Trump ‘regrettable’, says he’s ready to work for Ukraine peace
Riyadh, the capital of the oil-rich kingdom, may seem like an unusual venue for talks aimed at smoothing over relations after the blow-up. But Saudi Arabia under its assertive Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been positioning itself as an ideal location for possible peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow and even the first face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Also read: Trump-Zelenskyy clash in White House LIVE updates
Here’s what to know about why this meeting is taking place and Saudi Arabia’s role:
U.S. and Ukrainian officials will meet after the Oval Office meeting between Mr. Zelenskyy, Mr. Trump and U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance descended into an extraordinary 10-minute argument before journalists.
Mr. Trump at one point admonished Mr. Zelenskyy by angrily saying, “You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country.” Mr. Zelenskyy ended up leaving the White House without signing a deal that included granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
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