**Ukrainian President to Meet Saudi Crown Prince Before Talks with US Partners**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Saudi Arabia on March 10 to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This trip comes after a delay due to bilateral talks between the US and Russia in Riyadh.
Zelensky’s meeting with the Saudi crown prince will be followed by talks with US partners on March 11. The Ukrainian team will discuss the framework for a potential peace agreement.
**US-Ukraine Relations Improve**
The recent statements made by Zelensky on achieving peace through diplomatic means have been well-received in the White House. This may lead to the resumption of military aid and intelligence sharing between the two countries.
However, Ukraine has expressed concerns about security guarantees without which any ceasefire would be short-lived. The Trump administration has refused such commitments, calling upon Europe to take responsibility for post-war stability in Ukraine.
**Saudi Arabia’s Role**
The Gulf countries have traditionally played a mediator role between Russia and Ukraine. This includes facilitating prisoner exchanges. Zelensky’s visit to Saudi Arabia marks an attempt to strengthen these ties.
**Recent Developments**
Russia launched a large-scale aerial assault on Ukraine overnight, firing 67 missiles of various types and deploying 194 drones. Russian attacks across the country killed at least two people and injured 24 others over the past day.
US President Donald Trump has stated that he would not defend Ukrainians if they do not pay for military aid. This statement was made during a public dispute in the Oval Office with Zelensky, which resulted in the cancellation of a US-Ukraine mineral agreement signing.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com