Steve Witkoff, the U.S. presidential envoy to the Middle East, expressed confidence in seeing progress during a meeting scheduled from the 10th to the 12th of this month in Saudi Arabia with a Ukrainian delegation. Witkoff anticipates that both sides may sign a ceasefire and mineral agreement following the discussions.
In an interview with Fox News on the 10th, Witkoff shared optimism about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky potentially returning to the U.S. this week to sign the mineral agreement. He stated, “I am very hopeful. All signals are very, very positive,” and added, “I go in with the expectation of significant progress. I am certainly hopeful.”
Witkoff will attend the talks alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. This meeting marks the first high-level dialogue between the two sides since a previous agreement collapsed following a dispute between President Trump and President Zelensky in the White House on February 28th.
Regarding the meeting agenda, Witkoff mentioned, “The focus will be on security procedures for Ukraine, territorial issues, and utility plans such as electricity and gas. These issues are not complex,” he said. He added, “We have conducted extensive discussions with our team, Ukraine, and European partners involved in these talks, and I would like to describe this as progress.”
President Trump noted on the 9th that he believes Ukraine will sign the mineral agreement. He made this statement while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to Washington, D.C., from Palm Beach, Florida. Trump has previously demanded a $1 trillion joint investment and development agreement in minerals, in exchange for the military support the U.S. has provided to Ukraine.