U.S. and Russia Officials to Discuss Ukraine Conflict in Saudi Arabia
Upcoming U.S.-Russia discussions in Saudi Arabia aim to address the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Zelenskiy, having met with U.S. officials, expressed Ukraine’s exclusion from the talks. Key figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to attend, with the goal of uniting Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy for peace talks. Europe is reportedly not included in the negotiation process, raising concerns about broader regional implications.
U.S. and Russian officials are set to convene in Saudi Arabia soon to initiate discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for nearly three years. This meeting comes following a recent engagement between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Germany, in which Zelenskiy noted that Ukraine had not been invited to the Saudi talks and emphasized that Kyiv would consult with its strategic partners prior to engaging with Russia.
Key U.S. officials attending the Saudi discussions include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, as reported by U.S. Representative Michael McCaul. The specifics of whom they will meet from the Russian delegation remain undetermined. McCaul expressed that the objective behind these talks is to facilitate a meeting involving U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Zelenskiy to promote peace and conclude the conflict.
A source confirmed the plan for the U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia; however, the U.S. State Department did not provide immediate comments regarding these developments. Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia was already scheduled as part of his inaugural Middle Eastern tour, which commenced in Israel.
On the same day, Rubio communicated with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, reaffirming President Trump’s dedication to concluding the conflict in Ukraine, and the officials agreed on establishing regular contacts to pave the way for a meeting between Trump and Putin. Witkoff has played a significant role in recent prisoner exchange discussions and previously traveled to Moscow to facilitate the return of U.S. detainee Marc Fogel.
President Trump has indicated urgency in ending the war in Ukraine and has recently communicated with both Putin and Zelenskiy. Concerns surfaced among European allies regarding their exclusion from any peace negotiations, which were echoed by Trump’s envoy indicating a lack of European representation at the talks. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy announced potential visits to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye but clarified that he has no plans to meet with U.S. or Russian officials during his travels.
Despite Moscow’s control over a significant portion of Ukraine, Kyiv is facing challenges due to manpower shortages and territorial defense. Russia’s demands include Ukrainian territorial concessions and a commitment to neutrality in any peace agreement, while Ukraine insists on full Russian withdrawal and desires NATO membership or equivalent security assurances. Both the U.S. and Europe have extended substantial military support to Ukraine since the onset of hostilities.
In summary, the upcoming U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia signify a potential step towards resolving the protracted conflict in Ukraine. Key U.S. officials are committed to facilitating a dialogue involving Trump and Putin, however, concerns about European exclusion from the negotiations loom. The discussions will take place amidst ongoing military challenges for Ukraine and divergent demands from both sides regarding territorial and security guarantees.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
