The series of strikes and battlefield pressure represent another setback for Kyiv ahead of crucial talks with the United States next week in Saudi Arabia, where Ukrainian officials will meet with their US counterparts for negotiations around how to end the three-year war.

The United States has confirmed talks with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia next week aimed at establishing a peace framework leading to an end to the three-year-long Ukraine-Russia war.

Rubio will join U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, for the Jeddah talks with Ukrainian officials. Witkoff has told reporters that "the idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well."

Delegates from Kyiv and Washington intend to meet in Saudi Arabia and discuss positions to take in potential peace talks with Russia. DW looks at the significance of the meeting and what Ukraine stands to gain from it.

A US delegation is set to be in Saudi Arabia next week, as confirmed by Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in an effort to establish an initial ceasefire as well as a framework for a future peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Saudi Arabia over March 10-12 for talks with Ukrainian counterparts, a statement from the U.S. Department of State said. Rubio will also have a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud,