Ukraine will work ‘constructively’ with Trump as Zelensky says peace talks with US will take place in Saudi Arabia next week
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced he will work constructively with Donald Trump ahead of key peace talks in Saudi Arabia.
Zelensky said Ukraine will work “constructively” with President Trump to reach a “fast” and “lasting” peace.
The conciliatory tone comes after recent tensions between the two leaders, with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance berating Zelensky in the Oval Office last week.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed he is in discussions with Ukraine for a peace agreement framework.
The US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia represent a significant diplomatic effort amid shifting American policy toward the conflict. Trump has previously criticised Zelensky, echoing Kremlin claims by calling him a “dictator without elections”.
Witkoff said he is in discussions with Ukraine for a peace agreement framework to end the three-year war with Russia. The meeting planned for next week in Saudi Arabia comes as the Trump administration has dramatically shifted US policy on Ukraine.
European leaders have expressed concern about this policy reversal, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stating that “Europe must take up this challenge.”
The talks follow reports that Trump’s team has held discussions with Ukrainian opposition leaders, including former president Petro Poroshenko and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Both opposition figures have denied being part of any plot to remove Zelensky from power.
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European leaders warmly welcomed Zelensky at a special defence summit in Brussels on Thursday, in stark contrast to his recent frosty reception at the White House.
“We are here to defend Ukraine,” said Antonio Costa, chairman of the meeting, as he and European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen greeted the Ukrainian President.
The Brussels summit took place against a backdrop of concerns about Trump’s reversal of US policies on Ukraine.
The EU leaders backed plans to spend more on defence, with proposals to jointly borrow up to €150billion for military expenditure.
Zelensky told EU leaders that a truce between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the air and at sea would test Moscow’s will to end the invasion.
French President Emmanuel Macron opened discussions about extending the protection of France’s nuclear arsenal to European partners.
“I want to believe that the United States will stand by us. But we have to be ready if that is not the case,” Macron said in an address to the French nation last night.
Norway also announced it will more than double its financial pledge to Ukraine this year.