Ukraine is scheduled to present the United States with a proposal for a partial ceasefire with Russia on Tuesday, just hours after launching a large-scale drone attack on Moscow and other parts of the country, according to Russian authorities.
The meeting, scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will be the most senior-level discussion between US and Ukrainian officials since last month’s tense White House meeting, where former President Donald Trump reportedly criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over what he described as a lack of gratitude for American support.
Since then, Washington has suspended military aid, intelligence sharing, and satellite access for Ukraine in an apparent effort to push Kyiv towards negotiations.
Despite this pressure, Ukraine pressed ahead with an extensive overnight drone offensive, with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reporting that 337 drones were intercepted across Russia, including 91 near the capital.
The attack left one person dead and nine others injured, according to Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov.
Ahead of the Jeddah talks, Zelensky held discussions with Saudi leaders but left the official negotiations to his top advisers.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz will represent Washington at the meeting, where the suspension of aid to Ukraine is expected to be a key issue.
Rubio suggested that a ceasefire proposal from Ukraine would be a step in the right direction, though he emphasised that broader concessions from both sides would be necessary for any lasting peace.
During a prior meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Zelensky discussed potential Saudi mediation efforts in securing the release of prisoners and the return of children that Kyiv claims were taken by Moscow.
Both leaders also spoke about possible security guarantees to prevent a future resurgence of war.
