 "Trump’s ‘tough love’ diplomacy rattles Ukraine as Zelenskyy scrambles to mend ties in Jeddah")
One week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s confrontational approach with US President Donald Trump led to a heated Oval Office meeting, Kyiv is now working to repair relations with Washington as the White House is intensifying pressure for a swift resolution to the war with Russia even as Ukraine seeks to maintain international support.
Senior US and Ukrainian officials are scheduled to meet in Jeddah on Tuesday for talks on ending the conflict with Zelenskyy set to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday. US envoy Steve Witkoff said he would discuss an “initial ceasefire” with Russia and a “framework” for a longer-term agreement.
Ukraine and its allies hope that the recent pressure from Washington—including the suspension of military aid, demands for half of Ukraine’s mineral wealth to repay an alleged debt, and a call for a public apology from Zelenskyy—is merely a negotiating tactic. However, a broader shift in US strategy is becoming evident. The Trump administration now positions itself not as an ally to Ukraine and Europe but as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow, reportedly helping Russia to reintegrate Russia on the world stage.
On Friday, after Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Ukrainian energy facilities, Trump hinted at imposing new “large-scale” sanctions and tariffs on Moscow until a ceasefire and final agreement are reached. This rare threat against Russian President Vladimir
Putin suggested Zelenskyy’s diplomatic efforts might be yielding results. However, Trump later appeared to backtrack, seemingly condoning Russian attacks and reiterating his view that Ukraine’s position remains weak.
As Europe struggles to adapt to the shifting sands of diplomacy, Ukraine faces the challenge of handling a complex geopolitical situation while striving to end the war on favourable terms.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsZelenskyy seeks constructive dialogue
Zelenskyy on Saturday named a high-level delegation including ministers that will meet US negotiators in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday seeking to repair ties with President Donald Trump’s administration.
The United States has said it wants to discuss a “framework for a peace agreement”, but the Ukrainian leader was less specific.
“We hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps”, he said, stressing that Ukraine is “fully committed to constructive dialogue”.
Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has paused US military aid to Ukraine as well as intelligence-sharing with Kyiv. He has accused Zelenskyy of not being serious about reaching a peace agreement with Russia, which invaded Ukraine three years ago and has seized about 20 per cent of its territory."
Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively," Zelenskyy said on social media network X.
Today, a highly productive meeting took place in Kyiv between the diplomatic teams of Ukraine and the UK.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 8, 2025
We discussed our joint steps that could bring us closer to peace and accelerate diplomatic efforts. I’m grateful for the support. Ukraine is determined to do everything to…
Zelenskyy said he would visit Saudi Arabia next week and that after meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on Monday, Ukrainian diplomatic and military representatives would stay for a meeting on Tuesday with the US team.
“On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps,” he said.
With inputs from agencies
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