Trump administration expects important progress in talks with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia

Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Particular Envoy to the Center East, has mentioned that the US expects important progress in talks with Ukraine this week.

Supply: Reuters, citing Witkoff, as reported by European Pravda.

Particulars: US negotiators are on account of meet with the Ukrainian aspect in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, 11 March.

"I feel that we're going over there with an expectation that we're going to make substantial progress," Witkoff mentioned.

When requested if he thought President Zelenskyy would return to the US to signal the minerals deal this week, Witkoff expressed hope.

"I’m actually hopeful. All of the indicators are very, very optimistic," he mentioned.

Trump’s envoy mentioned that safety protocols for Ukrainians and territorial points will likely be among the many necessary points on the desk.

He famous that intelligence sharing will even be mentioned at this week's conferences. Nonetheless, he mentioned, the US has by no means reduce off intelligence for something defensive that the Ukrainians wanted.

Background:

• Earlier, Reuters cited sources as saying that US officers plan to make use of Tuesday's assembly with the Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia partly to seek out out whether or not Ukraine is able to make materials concessions to Russia to finish the warfare.
• In latest weeks, Trump has expressed frustration with Ukraine, saying it’s operating out of manpower and must get to the desk with Russia rapidly.
• Trump’s administration has additionally reduce off the provision of arms to Ukraine and intelligence sharing with Kyiv, accusing the Ukrainians of not being open sufficient to the peace course of.
• On Sunday, 9 March, Trump mentioned that the US had "nearly" ended the pause in intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Jeddah on 9 March for bilateral talks with Ukrainian officers led by Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian President's Workplace. Rubio is anticipated to be joined by US Nationwide Safety Adviser Mike Waltz and Steve Witkoff.

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