US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in two separate statements on Thursday that they plan to visit Saudi Arabia.
Bloomberg reported that Trump said he is likely to head to Saudi Arabia within a month or a month and a half.
On Thursday, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, clarified that he would hold discussions with a Ukrainian delegation regarding a framework for a peace agreement to end the war. He added that "a meeting is scheduled for next week with the Ukrainians in Saudi Arabia."
Zelensky had said that he would head to Saudi Arabia on Monday, ahead of talks with US officials.
“Next week, on Monday, I am scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia”, said Zelensky on Telegram. He added: “After that, my team will remain in Saudi Arabia to work with our American partners. Ukraine is more focused on peace."
The American news site Axios had reported on Thursday that senior US and Ukrainian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia next Wednesday to discuss efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
The site quoted two informed sources who anticipated the participation of US envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the meetings.