On March 10, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the upcoming meeting on March 11 between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia aims to clarify Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions for conflict resolution. The discussion will focus on details necessary for a potential agreement regarding Ukraine’s natural resource development. Rubio emphasized that Washington seeks to understand Ukraine’s stance on achieving not just any peace, but a realistic peace. The U.S. delegation, which includes Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Stephen Witkoff, will engage with Ukrainian officials, including Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiga, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Witkoff also noted that the agenda includes the potential resumption of U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine, reaffirming that essential intelligence continues to flow to support Ukraine’s defense needs. This meeting is seen as crucial for both parties to assess pathways towards a sustainable resolution in the ongoing conflict, underscoring the strategic imperative of collaborative dialogue between the U.S. and Ukraine.
