USA and Ukraine eye critical minerals deal in Saudi talks
Negotiations between the USA and Ukraine will occur on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. The White House special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, hopes an agreement on resources will be signed.
The United States anticipates substantial progress in the discussions with the Ukrainian delegation and hopes to finalize an agreement on "critical minerals," stated White House special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, in an interview with Fox News.
When asked if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will return to Washington to sign this agreement this week, he replied: - I am really hopeful. All the signs are very, very positive.
During a previous meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump at the White House, a dispute erupted. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance accused the Ukrainian president of not being grateful enough for the assistance received from the United States. Zelensky's visit ended with Trump expelling the Ukrainian delegation, ending the talks, and canceling the planned press conference.
Negotiations in Saudi Arabia
Negotiations between representatives of Ukraine and the USA will take place on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. The Ukrainian delegation will include, among others, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiha, and the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak. On the US side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz will participate in the talks.
As reported by Reuters, issues regarding the provision of American intelligence data to Ukraine and security guarantees for its citizens will also be discussed during the talks. Witkoff emphasized that the USA has never suspended intelligence cooperation with Ukraine concerning its defence needs.
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States has almost ended the suspension of intelligence information exchange with Ukraine. Trump expressed optimism about achieving a positive outcome from the talks in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting in Saudi Arabia will be formatted similarly to previous US-Russian talks, but this time without the Russian side's participation.
Importantly, last Monday, Washington announced the suspension of military support for Ukraine, and two days later, intelligence aid was suspended.
The former CIA chief, John Brennan, criticized the suspension of intelligence aid, calling it a tactic used in rackets and extortion. Brennan stressed that, throughout his professional career, intelligence aid has never been withheld for political advantage.
