Mon Mar 10 06:10:12 UTC 2025: ## Saudi Arabia to Host US-Ukraine Talks After White House Dispute

**JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (March 10, 2025)** – Saudi Arabia will host talks between the United States and Ukraine on March 11, following a heated exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on February 28. The meeting, to be held in Jeddah, aims to repair relations damaged after a 10-minute argument during Zelenskyy’s visit, which ended without a deal on granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.

Trump reportedly admonished Zelenskyy, warning him against actions that could escalate the war. Zelenskyy subsequently left the White House without signing the proposed agreement, jeopardizing continued U.S. military support for Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has positioned itself as a neutral mediator, previously hosting talks between Russia and the U.S. The kingdom’s Foreign Ministry emphasized its commitment to a lasting peace in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the American delegation, meeting with Prince Mohammed. Zelenskyy’s team, including his chief of staff and ministers of foreign affairs and defense, will also participate.

The choice of Jeddah, a significant port city, over Riyadh, the capital where previous Russia-U.S. talks occurred, remains unexplained, although Jeddah has hosted various diplomatic events in the past. The talks aim to find common ground amidst Trump’s focus on a peace deal, which has involved a more stringent approach towards Ukraine, contrasted with his more conciliatory stance towards Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The EU, excluded from these talks, recently announced increased defense spending and security investments. The outcome of the Saudi-mediated discussions remains uncertain, and their impact on the wider war and international relations is yet to be seen. The ongoing conflict and the differing approaches to resolving it continue to shape global dynamics.

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