US and Ukrainian Officials Meet in Jeddah Amid Moscow Drone Attack
US and Ukrainian delegations have convened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for diplomatic talks, Ukraine’s foreign ministry confirmed, sharing footage of the Ukrainian representatives arriving. The meeting comes after Moscow authorities reported one fatality in a drone attack on the Russian capital.
Dutch Defense Minister: Ukraine Must Negotiate from a Position of Strength
Speaking at the Paris conference, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans underscored Europe’s critical moment, stating, “We are at a crossroads—Russia’s threats continue to grow, and time is running out. We have only one chance to get this right.”
Brekelmans also referenced former US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on NATO’s Article 5, highlighting the alliance’s enduring role:
“NATO was founded in 1949 to deter future conflicts through collective strength. Today, as we enter NATO headquarters, we pass symbols of past struggles—a section of the Berlin Wall on one side, representing the end of the Cold War, and twisted steel from the Twin Towers on the other, a stark reminder of 9/11 and the call to solidarity from our American allies.”
In a striking reflection on the future, he posed a sobering question:
“What artifacts of war will stand beside these in five to ten years? A piece of rubble from a Kharkiv apartment building? A fragment of an undersea internet cable? The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear—our actions in the coming days and weeks will shape the years ahead.”
On Ukraine’s position in negotiations, Brekelmans insisted:
“President Zelensky should not be forced into an agreement that leaves Ukraine in a state of constant vulnerability. He must negotiate from a position of strength.”
Directly addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin, he warned:
“Putin has made it clear—Ukraine is not the final destination in his imperial ambitions. He seeks to expand Russian influence, reviving the ‘Russkiy Mir’—a Russian world. For him, it is a dream; for Europe, a nightmare.”
Concluding with a firm stance, he declared:
“It’s time for Putin to wake up—his dream does not align with reality. No matter how brutal this war becomes, Ukrainians will not be silenced. They are fighting not just for their own freedom, but for the security of all of Europe.
Comments
Post a Comment