America has demanded to know what Ukraine is prepared to give up to end the war with Russia.
A high-stakes meeting is taking place in Saudi Arabia at which the US wants to know what Kyiv can offer on the road to peace.
The move comes as relations between the White House and Kyiv slumped to their lowest point since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “We really want to sort of ascertain where they stand on this and what they’re willing to do in order to achieve peace.”
The tentative talks in the port city of Jeddah are the first potential breakthrogh since a fiery meeting between US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last month after which America announced a “pause” on military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
Russia has continued its barrage of attacks against Ukraine since and has launched a fresh offensive in Kursk.
Today’s discussions will take place with Mr Rubio and Zelensky aide Andriy Yermak among the power players around the table.
Kyiv is set to propose a ceasefire in the sea and sky during truce talks, sources say, which will cover the Black Sea and long-range missile strikes, as well as the release of prisoners.
Discussions could also resolve the US military aid pause but it is unlikely that a minerals deal – a key condition for US involvement in a ceasefire – will be struck.
That centres on a fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine, managed by Kyiv and Washington on equal terms, with Ukraine contributing 50% of future proceeds from state-owned rare earth mineral resources, oil and gas, proceeds from which will be used to invest in the “safety, security and prosperity of Ukraine”. The deal would see the US granted access to Ukraine’s rich natural resources.
Mr Zelensky is meeting Saudi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the state visit, but will not be present at the peace talks.
Instead, America’s top diplomat Mr Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will sit down with a high-level Russian delegation alongside Ukraine aide Andriy Yermak.
The Kremlin is at “an initial stage of restoring bilateral relations” with the US, saying conversations between Mr Trump and the Russian president Vladimir Putin are “constructive”
Mr Rubio said: “I think if we emerge there with a good meeting that we feel good about and can report back to the president, then I think decisions will be made in regards to the pause.”
Kyiv is trying to repair the damage after Mr Zelensky’s visit to Washington descended into farce during a globally-televised row with Mr Trump and his deputy JD Vance. He later met King Charles at Sandringham for private talks during a whistelstop visit to the UK for talks with European leaders.
Todat’s talks in Saudi Arabia are the first official session since the explosive White House meeting. Mr Zelensky has since reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to “constructive” dialogue with the US.