Ukraine expects the talks with the United States in Saudi Arabia to be productive, with Ukrainian interests taken into account, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement. "We are preparing for a meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday the chance to host a meeting between the U.S. and Ukraine next week, its foreign ministry said, adding that the kingdom would continue to do its utmost to help end the Ukraine-Russia war.

Rubio will join U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, for the Jeddah talks with Ukrainian officials. Witkoff has told reporters that "the idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well."