**Zelensky Apologizes for White House Clash, US-Ukrainian Talks Resume**
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has apologized for a heated argument with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. This comes ahead of high-level talks between Ukrainian and US officials in Saudi Arabia.
**US Envoy Says Apology Was an Important Step**
Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for the Middle East, said on Fox News that Zelensky sent a letter to Trump apologizing for the incident. “I think that was an important step,” Witkoff said.
**Talks in Saudi Arabia Aim to Revive Collapsed Minerals Deal**
Witkoff expressed optimism that the talks could revive a collapsed minerals deal between Washington and Kyiv. He also said there’s an expectation of making substantial progress during the talks, focusing on security protocols for Ukraine and mineral resources.
**US Military Aid Remains on Hold**
Ukrainian-U.S. relations reached a low point after the White House clash, with Washington pausing military aid to Kyiv and stopping critical intelligence sharing. However, Witkoff claimed that the US had not stopped sharing intelligence used for defensive purposes.
**Saudi Arabia Meeting Sets Stage for Peace Talks**
A meeting between Zelensky and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah has set the stage for high-stakes talks between US and Ukrainian officials. The talks aim to outline a potential peacekeeping force, with mutual concessions key to any diplomatic resolution.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
