America and Ukraine Prepare for Brutal Negotiations

To get a deal in Jeddah, Ukraine must first make peace with Donald Trump.

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For 10 days, since the shouting match in the Oval Office, Ukraine has been scorched by US President Donald Trump's wrath. Now comes a moment of catharsis — or another round of brutal punishment.

On March 11, American and Ukrainian delegations are due to meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The American side says the goal is to create "a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire." Yet on the Ukrainian side, amid the hope, there are fears the meeting could be a shake down, a delaying tactic or an attempt by Mr Trump to win concessions that benefit Russia.

The summit comes as Russia is escalating its military pressure on Ukraine. Drone and missile strikes are hammering Kyiv and other cities. Russian and North Korean soldiers are making a new push to eject Ukraine from Kursk, the enclave inside Russia it captured in 2024.

The talks involve powerful teams on both sides. The American delegation will include Mr Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, and Mr Mike Waltz, the National Security Adviser. But the negotiating will probably be led by Mr Steve Witkoff, Mr Trump's confidant and roving envoy, who recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin and who is negotiating for the President over the Middle East, too.