US delegation to meet Ukrainian officials in Riyadh next week: Report

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - An American delegation will travel to the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Tuesday for meetings with Ukrainian officials, Fox News reported on Thursday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will head to the Saudi capital to meet with Ukrainian officials, including Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich said.

No further details or official confirmation were immediately available.

Tensions between the US and Ukraine escalated last week following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's contentious meeting with US President Donald Trump during his Washington visit, after which the US announced a pause in aid to Ukraine.

Recent days have shown signs of softening relations, with Waltz on Wednesday describing Zelenskyy's willingness to negotiate with Russia as a "positive step forward" toward ending the conflict.

The American delegation previously met with Russian officials in the Saudi capital on Feb. 18, marking the most extensive discussions between the US and Russian officials since the war in Ukraine started in February 2022.