Ukraine and USA in Saudi Arabia: What's the Deal?

A Ukrainian team has landed in Saudi Arabia. They are there to talk about economic deals. This trip comes at a time when there is a lot of talk about possible talks between the USA and Russia. These talks would be about ending the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian team is led by Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. She said that they are there to make economic agreements. She didn't say if this trip is connected to the possible USA-Russia talks. She also didn't say when or who the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, might meet. Meanwhile, a top U. S. official, Steve Witkoff, said that he and another negotiator are also heading to Saudi Arabia. They are going to talk about ending the war in Ukraine. Witkoff didn't say who they would meet or what they would talk about. But he did say that they are going to try to make some progress. The Ukrainian team said that they won't talk to Russia until they have a plan to end the war. They also said that they won't be part of any USA-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia. They think there is nothing to talk about yet. The U. S. and Russia have been talking about ending the war for a while now. But the Ukrainian team said that they won't accept any deal that doesn't include Ukraine. They also said that they won't give up any territory. The war in Ukraine started in 2022. It has been going on for almost three years. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in 2023. He has been isolated by the West since then. The U. S. special envoy, Witkoff, said that the first step is to build trust. He said that they need to understand that the war should end. He didn't say if Ukraine would have to give up any territory as part of the deal. The talks between the USA and Russia could be a big deal. It could change things for Ukraine and Europe. But the Ukrainian team said that they won't accept any deal that doesn't include them. They also said that they won't give up any territory.