U.S. and Russia to Hold Peace Talks in Saudi Arabia Over Ukraine Conflict
U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy was not invited to the talks and will consult allies first. The U.S. plans for future high-level meetings involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy amid ongoing tensions regarding European participation and complex negotiations on territorial and security matters.
Upcoming discussions between U.S. and Russian officials will take place in Saudi Arabia, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. U.S. Representative Michael McCaul confirmed the meeting, though details regarding the Russian delegation remain unclear. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that Ukraine was not invited and would consult with allies before engaging with Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are set to attend the Saudi talks. McCaul noted that the discussions aim to facilitate a future meeting involving U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Zelenskiy, focusing on achieving peace.
Tensions are evident as Trump’s envoy stated European allies would not participate in discussions, which has caused concern among Washington’s European partners. During the Munich Security Conference, Rubio communicated with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, establishing regular contact in anticipation of the Trump-Putin meeting.
Zelenskiy plans visits to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey but has ruled out discussions with U.S. or Russian officials during these trips. Russian military advances have led to control over a significant portion of Ukraine territory, complicating peace negotiations.
Ukraine demands territorial withdrawal from Russia and security guarantees, including NATO membership, whereas Russia insists on territorial concessions from Kyiv. The U.S. has contributed extensive military aid, but Trump has emphasized the need for U.S. security assurances for such funding.
Currently, the U.S. and Ukraine are negotiating a deal that would facilitate American investment in Ukraine’s natural resources, suggesting a 50% ownership stake in critical mineral assets. However, Zelenskiy pointed out that the proposed deal lacks necessary security provisions for Ukraine.
The forthcoming U.S.-Russian talks in Saudi Arabia highlight ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war, albeit without Ukraine’s participation. The meetings may set the stage for higher-level discussions involving key leaders, though concerns about excluding European allies persist. Amid military ongoing developments, negotiations on territorial and security issues remain critical for both sides to reach a compromise.
Original Source: gazette.com
