Trump Administration to Initiate Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Saudi Arabia
Senior Trump administration officials will initiate peace talks regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for Ukraine’s involvement in negotiations. While Russia seeks territorial concessions, Ukraine requires security guarantees. Zelensky has expressed concerns about being sidelined in discussions, and recent Trump comments have raised alarms amongst European allies.
In the coming days, senior officials from the Trump administration will hold peace talks involving Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia. The delegation will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, as reported by US Representative Michael McCaul during the Munich Security Conference. A source corroborated the planning of these discussions.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, significant territorial gains have been made, with Russia now controlling approximately 20% of Ukraine. The terms of peace negotiations are contentious: Russia demands territorial concessions and Ukraine’s neutrality, while Ukraine insists on a full Russian withdrawal and security guarantees, including potential NATO membership.
Rubio recently held a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov regarding the conflict. They discussed maintaining regular contact to prepare for a potential meeting involving Trump and Putin. Furthermore, McCaul indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might be part of the Saudi discussions aimed at negotiating peace.
However, Zelensky expressed reservations about participating in talks without established negotiations with Ukraine’s strategic partners. He remarked that progress was unlikely if Ukraine was not directly involved in the diplomatic efforts. Zelensky is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, amongst others, but he clarified that a meeting with US or Russian officials has not been scheduled.
Concerns arose following Trump’s recent comments, which indicated a willingness to make concessions to Putin, causing apprehension among Ukrainian and European allies. European officials asserted that any agreement would lack authority without Ukrainian involvement from the start. Trump, however, stated, “Ukraine would have a seat at the table during any peace negotiations with Russia.”
In addition to the peace talks, discussions regarding a vital minerals deal are ongoing, as Zelensky noted a lack of necessary security measures in a draft proposal from Washington. Reports indicate that the United States is seeking to secure ownership of half of Ukraine’s critical mineral resources.
The planned peace talks in Saudi Arabia involve key officials from Trump’s administration aiming to address the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The complexities surrounding territorial demands and security guarantees remain unresolved, with significant skepticism from Ukrainian leaders about negotiations that do not include them. Ensuring that Ukraine has a decisive role in peace discussions will be critical for any potential agreement to hold substance and foster trust among the involved parties.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
