The signals from the meeting between the USA and Ukraine in Saudi Jidda were that both countries saw the talks as successful. And when Marco Rubio at a press conference could present the successes, they were greater than previously thought.
Ukraine supports a proposal for a total ceasefire for 30 days and is willing to negotiate with Russia. Moreover, the USA is "immediately" ending the pause of support and intelligence to Ukraine. And so, the countries have agreed to "as soon as possible" conclude an agreement on Ukrainian minerals.
Ukraine welcomes the proposal, which we see positively. We are ready to take the step, says Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj in his daily speech published on social media.
Thanks Trump
He says it is up to the USA to convince Russia to accept the proposal for a ceasefire, while thanking Donald Trump.
The American side understands our arguments and agrees to our proposals. I want to thank President Trump for the constructive dialogue.
Trump says, according to several media, that American representatives will meet a Russian delegation as early as Wednesday – and that he himself will "probably" talk to President Vladimir Putin. Previously, Trump's envoy Steven Witkoff has been reported to travel to Moscow this week.
In Jidda, Rubio says he hopes Russia will agree to the now negotiated agreement, and if they do not:
We unfortunately know what obstacles to peace exist.
Meeting in Jidda
The countries' agreement comes after a long day of negotiations in the Saudi port city of Jidda. There, Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz met a Ukrainian delegation led by Zelenskyj's chief of staff Andrij Jermak.
The talks were held in the light of the scandalous meeting at the White House recently, where it was intended that Zelenskyj and Trump would sign the security and business agreement on rare Ukrainian earth metals that the parties are again in agreement on. But a heated exchange of words broke out and the meeting was interrupted prematurely.
Donald Trump says in a brief comment to reporters that he is willing to invite Zelenskyj to the White House again.
On a question about the leaders' relationship and whether it can return to normal, Rubio says that "it is peace" that is normal.
This is serious business. It's not (the movie) "Mean girls", it's not a TV series.
Today, people are dying in this war, they died yesterday and if there is no ceasefire, they will unfortunately die tomorrow.
