Ukrainian And US Officials Begin Talks In Saudi After Kyiv's Big Attack On Moscow

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy/PHOTO via X @ZelenskyyUa

JAKARTA - Ukrainian and US officials started their talks in Saudi Arabia to find a way to end the war with Russia, hours after Kyiv forces launched their biggest drone strike in Moscow.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes talks in Jeddah will revive US "pregmatic" relations after his failed meeting with US President Donald Trump last month.

Last night, Ukraine launched its largest drone strike into Moscow by deploying 91 unmanned aircraft.

The attack killed one person, sparked a fire, closed the airport, and forced dozens of flights to be diverted, Russian officials said.

The timing of the attack - at which 337 drones were brought down on Russia, according to Moscow - appears to be aimed at showing Kyiv was still capable of carrying out major attacks after a series of Russian missile attacks, one of which killed 14 people on Saturday.

Zelenskyy has called on his European allies to support the idea of a ceasefire that he thinks would be an opportunity to test Moscow's desire to end the war.

Ukraine is now trying to revive its relationship with the US after Zelenskiy's fight with Trump, which left the signing of a bilateral mineral deal uncertain and Kyiv's attempt to secure security from Washington adrift.

Trump has framed the deal, which will be discussed on Tuesday, as key to continuing US support and compensation for billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded three years ago.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Monday talks with Kyiv would be important to measure whether Ukraine was willing to make concessions to achieve peace.

"We have to understand Ukraine's position and have an overview of what concessions they are willing to make, because you will not get a ceasefire and end this war unless both sides make concessions," he said.

The proposal is aimed at showing he is trying to achieve Trump's goal of ending the war as quickly as a flash, after the US president accused the Ukrainian leader of not being prepared for peace and continued direct talks with Russia.

The United States, Kyiv's main ally since the 2022 invasion, has changed its policy of war and stepped up pressure on Ukraine, halted military aid and stopped intelligence sharing with Kyiv.

"We expect practical results," Zelenskyy said.

"Ukraine's position in these talks will be fully constructive," he added.