US in talks with Ukraine about Saudi Arabia meeting: Middle East envoy

​​​​​​​By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) – The US is in discussions with Ukraine to hold a meeting in Saudi Arabia to advance peace efforts with Russia, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday.

The talks follow a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to US President Donald Trump, which Witkoff said Trump saw as a “positive first step.”

“We are now in discussions to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or even potentially Jeddah,” Witkoff told reporters at the White House. “The idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire.”

Media reports on Thursday suggested an American delegation, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Witkoff will travel to the Saudi capital on Tuesday.

Tensions between the US and Ukraine escalated last week following Zelenskyy's contentious meeting with Trump during a visit to Washington, 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" to ending the conflict.

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