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Ukraine and US resume dialogue: crucial summit in Jeddah for peace with Russia… and rare earths

High-level delegations meet, focus on rare earths and the ceasefire crisis

An important summit between Ukraine and the United States will be held in Jeddah tomorrow, with the aim of relaunching the dialogue that was interrupted after the bitter clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House ten days ago. The meeting, which aims to find a solution to the war between Ukraine and Russia, will be attended by Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s office, and Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State.

On the negotiating table will be the agreement for access to Ukrainian rare earths, which the US sees as a kind of compensation for the $350 billion spent since the beginning of the conflict. The White House, however, is not content with just that: the US insists that Zelensky agree to make territorial concessions to Russia and set the country on the path to elections. Trump has called Zelensky a ‘dictator’ and demands a change of course.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Ukraine is facing the consequences of the decisions taken by Trump, such as the stop on arms shipments and the suspension of intelligence sharing. Kiev will try to reactivate US aid by proposing a partial ceasefire to stop Russian attacks with drones and long-range missiles.

The US seems willing to lift the suspension of intelligence sharing with Kiev, as Trump has indicated in recent statements. The president spoke of ‘progress’ and said he was optimistic about the outcome of the upcoming talks.

Meanwhile, Russia has stepped up attacks in Donetsk and is trying to recapture Kursk, which was invaded by Ukrainian forces in August 2024. According to Trump, Ukraine does not have enough cards to negotiate, while recapturing a portion of Kursk may be the only ace up Kiev’s sleeve.

Trump warned that the US could disengage if Ukraine does not show openness towards an agreement, a scenario that would have devastating consequences. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham emphasised the importance of continuing to support Ukraine with arms and intelligence until a ceasefire is reached, adding that heavy sanctions against Russia could force Putin to negotiate.

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