US Close to Signing Agreement with Ukraine This Week
Special Representative Witkoff, in an interview with the American Fox News channel, shared his thoughts on the Russian-Ukraine process. Witkoff expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine during an interview with the Ukrainian delegation before his departure to Saudi Arabia.
During discussions this week, Witkoff was asked about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Kiev regarding rare earth elements. He responded by saying, “I am really hopeful. I truly believe that progress can be made in this regard.” He emphasized that he expects significant progress to be achieved through the negotiations.
Witkoff also addressed concerns about the interruption of intelligence support to Ukraine, stating, “We have never completely cut off intelligence support to Ukraine for defense purposes. It has never been completely severed.”
Accompanied by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Witkoff is set to participate in the upcoming talks between the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, Witkoff mentioned that Ukrainian President Zelenskiy had sent an apology letter to US President Donald Trump following an incident in the Oval Office. He viewed this gesture as a positive step towards improving bilateral relations between the two countries.
The US and Russia are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss the normalization of relations and the cessation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Zelenskiy and US Secretary of State Rubio have already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the talks.
After the publicized meeting between Trump and Zelenskiy in the Oval Office, where a rare earth elements agreement was not signed, tensions arose between the two leaders. However, Zelenskiy later expressed readiness to sign the agreement and engage in peace talks.
It was reported that the CIA temporarily halted intelligence support and military shipments to Ukraine following the Oval Office discussion, but this decision was described as temporary. The discussions in Saudi Arabia are expected to shed light on the future of US-Ukraine relations and the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
