U.S. and Russia Engage in Saudi Arabia Talks on Ukraine Conflict
U.S. and Russian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss the Ukraine war, a significant move amid ongoing tensions. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has voiced concerns over being excluded from talks. The discussions focus on arranging meetings involving key leaders while acknowledging European nations’ insistence on participation. Concurrent negotiations include U.S. investments in Ukraine’s resources, which lack necessary security guarantees.
U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. This dialogue, initiated by U.S. lawmakers, specifically U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, aims to involve key figures including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz, although it remains unclear who the Russian delegation will be.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s exclusion from the talks, emphasizing that Kyiv must be involved in any negotiations concerning its future. He insists on consulting with partners in the U.S. and Europe before engaging with Russia.
During a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Rubio emphasized ongoing communication to facilitate a future meeting between President Putin and former President Trump. This meeting aims to tackle pressing international issues, including the conflict in Ukraine.
The talks are part of a broader effort to arrange a formal meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump, and Putin, with the hope of achieving peace and resolving the conflict. However, connected discussions at a security conference indicated that Ukraine seeks a unified strategy with U.S. and European partners.
Zelenskyy expressed strong opposition to any peace agreements made without Ukrainian inclusion. This assertion comes amid concerns that European leaders might be sidelined, as recent communications indicated that they might not be privy to ongoing negotiations regarding Ukraine’s future.
Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg confirmed that Europe would not participate directly in talks, expressing a view based on realism. He attempted to reassure European partners that their interests would still be acknowledged despite their exclusion.
Reports of Zelenskyy’s possible visits to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey signal ongoing diplomatic engagement but were not linked to meetings with U.S. or Russian officials. As Russian forces continue to control significant portions of Ukraine, both parties maintain conflicting territorial demands.
On the military front, the U.S. and Europe continue to support Ukraine with financial aid, but the nature of their engagement appears tense, with discussions about U.S. investment in Ukraine’s natural resources currently in negotiation. While this could benefit the U.S., concerns remain about the lack of security provisions.
In a concurrent development, France has proposed an informal summit of European leaders to discuss Ukraine, reflecting the continent’s desire to participate actively in resolutions concerning the conflict, particularly in light of subsequent reports about preparatory meetings in Paris.
The upcoming U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia aim to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, currently marked by geopolitical tensions and territorial disputes. Excluding Ukrainian participation has raised alarms among Kyiv’s allies, particularly European leaders who seek to play an active role in negotiations. While military aid persists, the U.S. proposes economic agreements involving Ukrainian resources, all amidst ongoing diplomatic maneuvering that underscores the need for a coordinated international strategy.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
