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A delegation of US and Ukrainian officials is set to meet next week in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential ceasefire and framework for a peace agreement with Russia.

Some shit you should know before you read: Last month, US officials met with their Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia to discuss potential pathways to ending the war in Ukraine. This move led to anger among Ukrainian and European leaders who argued that the US could not negotiate an end to the war without Ukraine’s direct involvement. Roughly a week later, tensions erupted in a Oval Office meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where Trump, frustrated with Ukraine’s ongoing requests for military aid and security guarantees, suggested that Zelenskyy should immediately agree to a ceasefire with Russia or face losing all support from the US. Zelenskyy pushed back, arguing that temporary truces had only strengthened Russia in the past. This angered Trump and led to Vice President Vance accusing Zelenskyy of being ungrateful for US assistance.

What’s going on now: While speaking to the press, President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that a high-level U.S.-Ukraine meeting will take place next week in Saudi Arabia, with discussions centered on establishing a ceasefire and laying the groundwork for a potential peace agreement with Russia. The meeting, expected to be held in either Riyadh or Jeddah, will include various US officials including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Witkoff himself, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, will lead the Ukrainian delegation.

Witkoff told reporters that the goal of the meeting is to establish a diplomatic framework that may serve as the foundation for a broader peace process, though he acknowledged that any final decision would rest with President Trump.

He also described the upcoming talks as a “positive step” in re-establishing dialogue between Washington and Ukraine after weeks of diplomatic tensions. He noted that Zelenskyy’s recent outreach, including a letter expressing appreciation for US support, was well received by Trump but warned that the path forward remains uncertain.

When asked about the possibility of reviving a US-Ukraine minerals deal that was put on hold after Trump’s Oval Office clash with Zelenskyy, Witkoff said the proposal remains on the table but stopped short of committing to its reinstatement. “I think Zelenskyy has offered to sign it, and we’ll see if he follows through.”