Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent an official delegation to the United States in an effort to revive suspended negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The move comes as international attention has largely shifted to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A senior Kremlin official also indicated that a new round of US-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv may be scheduled soon.

The trilateral negotiations, which have yet to achieve breakthroughs on key issues, were paused while the Iran conflict dominated global headlines. Zelenskyy said late Thursday that representatives were sent to the US for a meeting expected on Saturday, although the White House has not confirmed any such engagement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia would not participate in the upcoming talks and added that the timing and venue for a new trilateral session have yet to be agreed upon.

Western European officials have repeatedly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of delaying negotiations, while Russian forces continue to press battlefield initiatives aimed at capturing more Ukrainian territory. Currently, Russia occupies nearly 20 per cent of Ukraine’s land. Analysts note that the temporary US waiver on oil sanctions has provided Moscow with a financial boost, even as Kyiv continues to face a severe cash shortage and awaits a €90-billion (USD 103 billion) loan pledged by the European Union.

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The conflict in the Middle East is also affecting Ukraine’s access to advanced air defence missiles, as stockpiles are being depleted in regional hostilities. Zelenskyy has warned that Putin is expected to launch new offensives as spring weather improves, further heightening pressure on Ukraine’s armed forces.

Amid these challenges, Ukraine has emerged as a leading producer of battle-tested drone interceptors. Zelenskyy has sought to leverage this expertise in negotiations with Arab Gulf countries, potentially trading technical know-how for air defence missiles to counter Iranian Shahed drones. A team of senior Ukrainian officials recently visited the Gulf region to advance these discussions.

“There is an understanding of what new security agreements can be reached with countries in the region,” Zelenskyy said in an evening address, signaling Kyiv’s efforts to strengthen regional partnerships while keeping its diplomatic channels with the US active.

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