The U.S. and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and potential peace negotiations. President Donald Trump has emphasized that a signed minerals deal, granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, is insufficient to resume aid and intelligence sharing. Trump has outlined additional conditions, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s willingness to make territorial concessions to Russia, progress toward elections, and possibly stepping down as leader. Ukraine’s elections remain paused under martial law, which has been in effect since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its attacks, with recent strikes causing significant civilian casualties, particularly in the Donetsk region.
The U.S. has halted military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, though defensive intelligence—such as warnings of impending attacks—is still provided. This pause has raised concerns about its impact on Ukraine’s defense capabilities, as European allies attempt to fill the gap. Congressional Republicans are pressuring the White House to restore support, especially after Zelenskyy expressed readiness for peace talks. The situation underscores the complexities of achieving a resolution to the conflict, with both diplomatic and military dimensions at play.