US, Ukraine planning peace talks in Saudi Arabia: Witkoff

U.S. and Ukrainian officials are talking to set up a meeting next week in Saudi Arabia aimed at structuring the framework for a ceasefire with Russia and a peace agreement, President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters on Thursday.

The meeting signals a thawing of relations between the U.S. and Ukraine, which ruptured abruptly following an explosive Oval Office confrontation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"We are now in discussion to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or even potentially Jeddah,” Witkoff told reporters outside the White House.

“So the city is moving around a little bit, but it will be Saudi Arabia. And I think the idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well.”

Zelensky said Wednesday that discussions were taking place to set up a meeting next week with American officials. Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s top aide, talked with national security adviser Mike Waltz.

Zelensky has sought to repair relations with Trump following the Oval Office debacle, the fallout from which has included Trump halting military assistance to Ukraine and cutting off intelligence sharing with the Ukrainians, harming Kyiv’s ability to hit high-value Russian targets.

Zelensky sent a letter to the president and posted on social media overtures to the power of the U.S. and his intent to sign a minerals deal with the president that was shelved in the aftermath.

“I hope we get things back on track with the Ukrainians and everything resumes,” Witkoff said, but he noted the decision rests with Trump.

“I think those are all decisions of the president, but I think he felt that Zelensky's letter was a very positive first step.”

Witkoff also held back commitments to reviving the minerals deal.

“I think Zelensky has offered to sign it, and we’ll see if he follows through,” Witkoff said.

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