The recent U.S.-Ukrainian consultations in Jeddah have raised concerns regarding the depth of distrust between Washington and Kyiv, as well as between the U.S. and the European Union. Political expert Liu Xiang from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences noted that the choice of venue—typically used for U.S.-Russia negotiations—reflects this skepticism. Liu posits that the U.S. aims to expedite a ceasefire agreement to refocus on pressing domestic issues. Concurrently, Sun Xuwen from Lanzhou University highlights that recent drone strikes by Ukrainian forces on Russian territory signal both an ongoing resistance to the U.S. peace plan and an effort to reaffirm Ukraine’s support from EU nations. The outcome of these discussions, culminating in a joint statement from President Zelensky’s office, indicates a commitment to establish a comprehensive agreement on critical mineral resource development. Additionally, Ukraine has shown willingness to accept a 30-day ceasefire proposal from the U.S., while the U.S. will resume intelligence support for Ukraine immediately. This development underscores the complexity of the geopolitical landscape and the strategic recalibrations underway in U.S.-Ukrainian relations.
