Trump Administration’s Strategic Meetings with Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia
Top Trump officials will meet separately with Russian and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia this week. This follows a series of prior discussions aimed at establishing a peace plan. US relations with Ukraine are in recovery after a tense meeting, and pressure tactics on both nations are under consideration.
Top officials from the Trump administration are set to conduct separate meetings with representatives from Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia this week, as reported by CNN on March 9th. Trump announced, “Big meetings coming up, as you know, in Saudi Arabia. That’s going to include Russia, but Ukraine, we’ll see if we can get something done,” during a session aboard Air Force One.
These upcoming discussions come after previous talks, including a US-Russian meeting in Saudi Arabia on February 18th, where a peace plan was proposed involving a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine, and a final agreement. Additionally, last month, Trump and Vice President JD Vance engaged in an Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where they discussed the ongoing conflict, leading Zelensky to challenge several positions regarding security guarantees and past agreements with Russia.
Amid efforts to mend relations following this diplomatic event, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the Ukrainian delegation is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh prior to their discussions with the US counterparts, according to Radio Free Europe.
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg has previously likened American pressure on Ukraine to “hitting a mule with a board on the nose – you got their attention,” indicating that military aid suspension aimed to persuade Ukraine toward negotiations. Trump has also hinted at potential pressure tactics against Russia through statements on Truth Social, contemplating significant banking sanctions until a ceasefire and peace agreement are established.
On March 10th, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that no US-Russia meetings would occur this week, complicating the diplomatic landscape further.
In summary, significant diplomatic meetings are scheduled in Saudi Arabia, involving top Trump administration officials and delegations from Russia and Ukraine. Recent discussions have aimed at peace negotiations, with previous meetings highlighting tensions and the necessity to repair US-Ukrainian relations. The US is contemplating various pressure tactics on both parties, suggesting a complex pathway toward achieving peace in the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: euromaidanpress.com
