Key points
- US will present the offer to Russia: Rubio
- Talks held at the direction of Crown Prince
- UK premier welcomes outcomes of Jeddah talks
JEDDAH: Talks between the US and Ukraine aimed at ending the war with Russia took place in Jeddah on Tuesday, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
According to Arab News, the US administration has agreed to lift its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, and Kyiv has signalled that it is open to a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia, pending Moscow’s agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would present the ceasefire offer to Russia. “We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking,” Rubio said.
Commitment to promoting peace
“Today we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters after around nine hours of talks in an ornate hotel in Jeddah.
We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking.” – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
The talks were held at the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and took place in the presence of the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, according to the SPA.
The US side was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, while the Ukrainian side was represented by Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
These talks were part of the Kingdom’s efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, thanks to its balanced relationships with various stakeholders and its commitment to promoting international security and peace, according to the SPA.
This commitment stems from the Kingdom’s belief in upholding international laws and standards, with dialogue seen as the most effective way to resolve disputes and bring viewpoints closer together, ultimately strengthening international security and stability, the SPA reported.
“Insightful vision”
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the outcomes of the recent talks between the United States of America and Ukraine held in Jeddah on Tuesday.
Starmer affirmed his support for the discussions, expressing the United Kingdom’s readiness to facilitate efforts toward lasting peace and stability in Ukraine.
According to the SPA, Arab Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al Yamahi lauded Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between the United States and Ukraine as part of efforts aimed at resolving the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
Al Yamahi commended the generous initiative, which reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting international peace efforts and its sincere endeavours to enhance global security and stability, the SPA reported.
He emphasised that these efforts emanate from the political and diplomatic weight the Kingdom holds regionally and globally, thanks to the insightful vision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who continually support initiatives that contribute to achieving global security.
