Ukraine Asks Europe To Be Involved In Peace Process With Russia

Meeting of delegates from the United States and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia. (Twitter/@KSamofaEN)

JAKARTA - Ukraine wants Europe to be involved in the peace process with Russia, reads one of the joint statement points after a meeting of Ukrainian and US delegates in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

A nearly eight-hour meeting by delegations of the two countries in Jeddah was meant to find a way to end the Russian-Ukraine war that broke out on February 24, 2022.

There were a number of points of joint statement after the meeting which welcomed the proposed full ceasefire for 30 days made by the Washington delegation.

Regarding the formation of a negotiating team for the start of talks to realize lasting peace and security guarantees, the US is committed to discussing special proposals with Russian representatives, while Ukraine affirms the involvement of European partners in every peace process.

"The role of Europe in negotiations, our partners should be part of the process," Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov tweeted on social media X, as quoted March 12.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a special military operation into Ukrainian territory with the aim of demilitarizing and denazification on February 24, 2022.

The rapid movement of Russian troops was hampered near Kyiv, bringing into a prolonged war, with last August Ukraine capable of carrying out cross-border attacks on Russian territory in Kursk, the country's first cross-border attack since World War II.

After being sworn in as US president for the second time, Donald Trump pushed for an agreement to end the war in Ukraine and held separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky months, part of efforts to realize his campaign during elections to immediately end the Russian-Ukraine war.

It was then followed by a meeting between the Washington delegation and Moscow in Jeddah last month. The move makes Ukraine and Europe seem to be passed.

The heated debate between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and United States President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Room, the White House at the end of February, complicated the situation.

Amid developments, as well as the relationship between President Trump's Administration and Europe, President Zelensky attended an emergency meeting held by European leaders earlier this month.

Later, Kyiv and Washinton diplomatic contacts improved before finally agreeing on a meeting in Jeddah yesterday.

An important meeting today in Jeddah with our partners from the United States.

Key outcomes:1. Resumption of security assistance, including intelligence sharing – a critically important step for Ukraine’s defense capability.

2. A 30-day temporary ceasefire. Important: only… pic.twitter.com/vtJSSp4liJ

— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) March 11, 2025

An import meeting today in Jeddah with our partners from the United States.

Key outcomes:1. Resumption of security assistance, including intelligence sharing a critically imported step for Ukraine's defense capacity.

2. A 30-day temporary ceasefire. Import: only... pic.twitter.com/vtJSSp4liJ

A joint US-Ukraine statement after the meeting in Jeddah, as quoted by Reuters.

Today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia under the death of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman United States and Ukraine are taking important steps to restore lasting peace for Ukraine.

Representatives of the two countries praised the Ukrainian people's courage in defending their country and agreed that now is the time to start the process of lasting peace.

The Ukrainian delegation reaffirmed the deep gratitude from the Ukrainian people to President Trump, the US Congress, and the people of the United States for allowing meaningful progress towards peace.

Ukraine expressed its readiness to accept the US proposal to impose a temporary ceasefire for 30 days, which could be extended with mutual agreement with the parties, and which relies on the simultaneous acceptance and implementation by the Russian Federation. The United States will convey to Russia that Russia's reciprocity is key to achieving peace.

The United States will soon lift the suspension of intelligence sharing and continue security assistance to Ukraine.

The delegation also discussed the importance of humanitarian aid efforts as part of the peace process, particularly during the ceasefire mentioned above, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian prisoners, and the forced repatriation of Ukrainian children.

The two delegates agreed to appoint their negotiating team and immediately start negotiations towards lasting peace which ensures Ukraine's long-term security. The United States is committed to discussing this particular proposal with representatives from Russia. The Ukrainian delegation reiterated that European partners would be involved in the peace process.

Finally, the presidents of the two countries agreed to immediately finalize a comprehensive agreement to develop Ukraine's important mineral resources to expand Ukraine's economy and ensure Ukraine's long-term prosperity and security.

"Thank you to all the meeting participants today for the very productive and outcome-oriented conversation," wrote Defense Minister Umerov.

"Thanks to my American colleagues, the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, for his support. Respect our Saudi friends and partners for their hospitality," he added.