Ukraine wants ‘constructive, friendly’ talks with the U.S. as they meet in Saudi Arabia

KYIV, Ukraine — Diplomatic teams from Ukraine and the United States are holding talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday in steps toward ending a full-scale war started by Russia in 2022.

It is the first meeting between Ukraine and the U.S. since President Trump and Vice President Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a televised shouting match in the Oval Office late last month.

Soon after that heated exchange, the Trump administration froze military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. Since then, Zelenskyy has been cultivating European ties and sending conciliatory messages to the White House. He sent his chief-of-staff, Andriy Yermak, to Jeddah to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz.

“We’re very open, and we want to have very constructive, friendly, partner conversation with our American partners,” Yermak told reporters in Jeddah. He did, however, add that security guarantees are “very important because we never want this aggression repeated in the future.”

The Jeddah talks are taking place after Ukraine and Russia launched massive drone strikes on each other’s territory.

This is a developing story that will be updated.

 

Senate committee details failures by Secret Service in preventing Trump shooting

The Senate Homeland Security Committee said the Secret Service's "lack of structured communication was likely the greatest contributor to the failures" at the Pennsylvania rally last summer.

Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari dies at 82

Nigeria's former president Muhammadu Buhari — who once ruled as a military dictator before returning decades later as an elected leader — has died at 82.

Los Angeles houses of worship plan for possible ICE Raids

Churches in Los Angeles put contingency plans in place after the Trump administration rescinds long-standing guidance advising immigration agents to avoid houses of worship.

‘Love Island USA’ might decenter whiteness — but the show still won’t face reality

The finale of Love Island USA airs Sunday night. Critic Aisha Harris says it's impossible to separate the season's racial and ethnic diversity from the show's mealy-mouthed handling of behind-the-scenes drama.

Folklife stars: Maya artist, Bolivian rappers, Dolly Parton’s guitar restorer

They all showed off their talents at this year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The theme: How youth keep cultural traditions alive.

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 19, hospitals say, as ceasefire talks drag on

Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 19 people on Sunday, including six children at a water collection point, local health officials said.

More Front Page Coverage