Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Saudi Arabia, his adviser Dmytro Mitvin reported, Ukrinform reported, quoted by BTA.
Zelensky will meet with the oil-rich kingdom's crown prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ahead of an official meeting tomorrow between US and Ukrainian delegations, the Associated Press reported.
Saudi state television reported that Zelensky had landed in Jeddah – Red Sea port city where the talks will take place.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about the upcoming meeting, although he stressed that there are still a number of details that need to be clarified in the rare earth metals deal between Washington and Kiev, Reuters reports.
Speaking to reporters on his way to Jeddah, Rubio said Washington needs to understand Kiev's position and get a general idea of possible Ukrainian concessions. He will be accompanied by National Security Adviser Mike Walz, and both will meet with a high-ranking Ukrainian delegation.
The talks between Ukraine and the United States on Tuesday will be the first official meeting since Zelensky's failed visit to the White House, Reuters reports. Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said he was looking forward to the meeting with high hopes.
According to the Associated Press, Zelensky is not expected to meet with Rubio.
The Ukrainian president said that his chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov would participate in the talks on Tuesday from the Ukrainian side.