(NewsNation) — Officials from Ukraine and the United States have gathered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss diplomatic cooperation and a potential “limited ceasefire” in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to officials.
The talks come just hours after Russian air defenses shot down more than 300 Ukrainian drones in what appears to be the nation’s largest-ever attack on Russia. Moscow has since retaliated, launching more than 100 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials told the Associated Press on Monday that they will propose a ceasefire covering the Black Sea — which would bring safer shipping — as well as long-range missile strikes that have hit civilians in Ukraine and the release of prisoners.
The Kremlin has not publicly offered any concessions. Russia has said it is ready to cease hostilities on the condition that Ukraine drops its bid to join NATO and recognizes regions that Moscow occupies as Russian.
President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East is scheduled to visit Moscow later this week for a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to NewsNation.
The meeting in Saudi Arabia marks the first time the allied diplomats are sitting down face-to-face after an explosive Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb. 28 left a rare minerals deal unsigned and international tensions on the rise.
Trump over the weekend was hopeful about the “big meetings” in Saudi Arabia, telling reporters on Air Force One: “A lot of people died this week, as you know, in Ukraine, not only Ukrainians, but Russians. So I think everybody wants to see it get done. We’re going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week.”
The two senior Ukrainian officials said Kyiv is also ready to sign an agreement with the U.S. on access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals — a deal that Trump is keen to secure.
Ukraine carries out massive drone attack on Russia
Russian officials said overnight its air defenses shot down 337 Ukrainian drones over 10 Russian regions, killing at least three people and injuring another 18. At least three of the injured were children.
Meanwhile, Russia launched more than 120 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine on Tuesday, according to the Ukrainian air force said.
Ukrainian and U.S. officials have not yet commented on the attacks.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz and other top officials will represent the U.S. at the meetings in Saudi Arabia.
Rubio has previously emphasized there is no military solution to the war, while Waltz has joined a growing chorus of Republicans who suggested Ukraine might be better off finding a new leader altogether.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.