US and Ukraine to Resume Peace Talks Next Week... Zelensky to Visit Saudi Arabia on the 10th

White House Crisis Enters Resolution Phase
Renewed Calls for Ceasefire at Sea and in the Air... Russia Says "Unacceptable"

The 'White House crisis' between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has entered a resolution phase. President Zelensky suggested a reconciliation of conflicts between the two countries by stating, "I hope we (the U.S. and Ukraine) can have a meaningful meeting next week." Accordingly, the peace agreement for the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has lasted for over three years, is expected to gain new momentum.

President Zelensky announced this on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying, "The teams from Ukraine and the U.S. have resumed work."

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

He also said, "Next Monday (the 10th), I plan to visit Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman," adding, "After that, my team will stay on-site to cooperate with U.S. partners."

President Zelensky stated that he and his partners are preparing "practical proposals," emphasizing, "The first priority is a ceasefire at sea and in the air, and we consider this initial phase as the beginning of a broader and more comprehensive agreement." He also stressed, "Ukraine is ready to cooperate with U.S. and European partners for peace."

Earlier, Steve Witkoff, President Trump's Middle East envoy, said on the same day, "We are currently coordinating talks with Ukraine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia," adding, "The goal is to establish the basic framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire agreement."

On the same day, the U.S. internet media Axios reported that Secretary of State Mark Rubio, White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Envoy Witkoff are scheduled to hold high-level talks in Saudi Arabia on the 12th with Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to the Ukrainian President, and others.

Since the major clash between President Trump and President Zelensky at the White House summit on the 28th of last month, dialogue between the two countries had been at a standstill. However, the remarks on this day indicate that both countries have resumed talks and are working toward resolution.

President Zelensky attended the European Union (EU) special summit held in Brussels, Belgium, on the same day. Following the summit, with President Trump halting military aid and intelligence sharing, EU support has become urgent.

At the EU special summit, President Zelensky said, "I am truly grateful to know that we are not alone. I feel it deeply."

According to EU officials, during a lunch with EU leaders, President Zelensky requested that funds procured for the EU's 'rearmament plan' be used for Ukraine's defense production.

On the same day, President Zelensky also held a series of meetings with the leaders of France, Austria, Belgium, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

During a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, he said, "We discussed the upcoming meeting on the 11th with military commanders from various countries who are willing to work toward reliable security guarantees related to the end of the war."

President Macron had explained his peacekeeping force plan for Ukraine's security in a public address the previous day and announced that a related meeting would be held in Paris next week.

Meanwhile, Russia remains negative toward Ukraine's temporary ceasefire proposal. According to AFP, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in a video briefing on the same day, "Without firm agreement on a final settlement, any kind of temporary ceasefire is unacceptable."