Ukraine will propose an air and naval ceasefire with Russia during talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia this week, a Ukrainian official told AFP on Monday, as President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Riyadh.
Tuesday’s meeting in Saudi Arabia will be the first between Ukrainian and U.S. officials since a White House meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump unraveled into an open clash.
“We do have a proposal for a ceasefire in the sky and ceasefire at sea,” the Ukrainian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Because these are the ceasefire options that are easy to install and to monitor and it’s possible to start with them.”
The Financial Times, citing a source briefed on the talks, reported earlier that Kyiv hopes a partial ceasefire proposal could lead Washington to resume military aid and intelligence-sharing.
On Monday, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s desire for peace and blamed Russia for prolonging the war.
“Ukraine has sought peace since the very first second of the war. The only reason it continues is Russia,” he wrote on social media.
Before Tuesday’s talks, Zelensky was scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“Ukraine has been seeking peace since the very first second of the war, and we have always said that the only reason that the war is continuing is because of Russia,” he wrote on social media.
Zelensky added that Ukraine is “fully committed to constructive dialogue” but wants its interests to be “taken into account in the right way.”
“We hope for results, both in terms of bringing peace closer and continuing support,” he wrote.
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington aims to use the talks “to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well.”
In the city of Jeddah, where Tuesday’s talks will take place, Ukrainian and Saudi flags lined major thoroughfares near the airport.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will arrive Monday, the State Department said, while President Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, has also confirmed his participation.
Zelensky’s delegation will include Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and military commander Pavlo Palisa, who is also Yermak’s deputy.
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