Saudi Arabia to Host U.S.-Ukraine Talks in Jeddah, Reaffirms Commitment to Peace

Jeddah, March 8, 2025 – Saudi Arabia has welcomed the opportunity to host a meeting between the United States and Ukraine next week, reaffirming its commitment to helping end the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday.

The talks will be held in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, following a planned visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday. The discussions come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

“The Foreign Ministry confirms the Kingdom’s continued efforts to achieve lasting peace to end the Ukrainian crisis,” the statement read, underlining Saudi Arabia’s role as a key mediator in global diplomacy.

Strategic Diplomatic Engagement

The upcoming meeting in Jeddah follows a series of diplomatic engagements hosted by the Kingdom, including a February meeting between U.S. and Russian officials aimed at exploring ways to halt the ongoing war. However, Ukraine was not included in those talks, prompting concerns in Kyiv and among European allies.

Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed ongoing discussions with Ukraine regarding a potential framework for a peace deal.

Tensions Amid Diplomacy

The planned meeting in Saudi Arabia comes just days after Zelenskiy’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on February 28, which escalated into a public disagreement over their differing approaches to resolving the conflict.

Shortly after the meeting, Trump paused military aid to Ukraine and halted intelligence-sharing with Kyiv, sparking concerns over Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense. Overnight on Friday, Russian forces launched missile strikes targeting Ukrainian energy and gas infrastructure, marking the first major attack since Trump’s decision.

Saudi Arabia’s Role in Global Diplomacy

Saudi Arabia continues to position itself as a leading diplomatic mediator, leveraging its regional and international influence to facilitate peace discussions. The Kingdom’s neutral stance and diplomatic reach have made it a critical player in ongoing global efforts to resolve international conflicts.

The upcoming talks in Jeddah are expected to focus on U.S.-Ukraine relations, potential peace frameworks, and diplomatic strategies aimed at achieving a sustainable resolution to the three-year-long conflict.