Ukraine set for crucial US talks on war with Russia

I think Zelensky has offered to sign it, and we'll see if he follows through."

Asked if Ukraine would sign the deal in Saudi Arabia, Witkoff said

I'm not saying that alone is enough, but it's the kind of concession you would need to see in order to end the conflict,

he told reporters

That’s why I have been clear the security of Ukraine is the future of Europe and our support for Ukraine is unwavering

He added

New defence packages, strengthened air defence, and even more investments in our defence industry

He wrote

We see it providing that mediating role between the US and Russia, between the US and Ukraine, and it has become an essential player in the Middle East, certainly with regards to the Palestinians, to Syria and to Lebanon,

Neil Quilliam, a foreign affairs specialist at the London-based think tank Chatham House, told DW

Riyadh's priority is to secure its own business model, and for that it needs the US,

he explained

Saudi Arabia will certainly use the opportunity to mediate with Ukraine in order to present themselves as a reliable partner, as it wants concessions from Trump, especially with regard to Gaza and a future Palestinian state alongside Israel,

Sebastian Sons told DW

Saudi Arabia has indeed established itself as a platform for dialog in the last two to three years,

Sebastian Sons, a senior researcher for the German think tank CARPO, told DW

With regard to the Middle East, all negotiations in the region go through Riyadh."

Kawas echoed this view

The country refrained from joining the West's criticism and sanctions against Russia, while it was also in regular contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and provided humanitarian aid packages and medical aid worth millions for Ukraine,

Kawas explained

Saudi Arabia's neutrality has led to its current mediating role,

Mohammed Kawas, a London-based political analyst, told DW

That is not the aim of the Saudis, ... it would rather pave the way for doing business with the US."

he said

Donald Trumppresident

I believe we will reach good results in the negotiations."

US President Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding the upcoming discussions in Jeddah, stating

There was the meeting last week, there's another meeting tomorrow, there's a defence secretary-level meeting on Wednesday, there will be the leaders' meeting on Saturday

The PM's official spokesman said

The prime minister welcomed the detailed conversations that had already happened to move this forward,

the spokesperson said

We do have a proposal for a ceasefire in the sky and ceasefire at sea, because these are the ceasefire options that are easy to install and to monitor and it’s possible to start with them.”

A Ukrainian official said

Finally 68% of Brits and Poles, 64% of Americans, 60% of the French and 53% of Germans think Russia will not stop at Ukraine and majorities in all those countries are worried about the prospect of European war in the coming years.”

Mr Tryl said

While 70% of Brits say France is an ally of the UK, now fewer than half say that the United States is an ally of the UK,

the polling boss said

Meanwhile Trump gets poor marks for his handling of the conflict among the British public,

Mr Tryl added

In this regard, the room for the US to maneuver in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is further limited with unclear prospect,

Li added