U.S. and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy stated Ukraine was not invited. Key U.S. figures, including Secretary of State Rubio and National Security Adviser Waltz, will attend the talks. The discussions aim to facilitate a potential meeting among Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy. The backdrop includes ongoing territorial disputes and security concerns for Ukraine.
Officials from the United States and Russia are set to convene in Saudi Arabia in the near future to initiate discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for nearly three years. This information was confirmed by a U.S. lawmaker and a source familiar with the arrangements on Saturday. Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy indicated that Ukraine was not invited to these talks and underscored that Kyiv will consult with its strategic partners before engaging further with Russia.
Among the U.S. officials traveling to Saudi Arabia are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, as detailed by U.S. Representative Michael McCaul. The identities of their Russian counterparts remain unclear at this point. McCaul expressed during the Munich Security Conference that one of the primary objectives of these talks is to facilitate a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and President Zelenskiy to negotiate peace and conclude the ongoing conflict.
A source with insight into the planning process has substantiated the arrangements for the U.S.-Russia discussions in Saudi Arabia. The U.S. Department of State has not yet responded to requests for comments pertaining to these developments. Additionally, Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia was already on the agenda as part of his inaugural tour of the Middle East, which commenced with his arrival in Israel.
Earlier on Saturday, Rubio engaged in a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during which he reaffirmed President Trump’s dedication to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. They agreed to maintain regular communications to prepare for a future meeting involving Presidents Trump and Putin, as reported by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Witkoff, who has been actively involved in recent prisoner exchange agreements, also played a role in facilitating the call between Trump and Putin regarding the situation in Ukraine. This week, Witkoff traveled to Moscow to assist in bringing home U.S. detainee Marc Fogel. In a social media announcement, President Trump revealed he had directed Rubio, Waltz, Witkoff, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe to expedite a deal with Russia to conclude the Ukraine conflict.
Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly pledged to swiftly bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Recently, he engaged in discussions with both President Putin and President Zelenskiy, raising concerns among European allies who fear they may be excluded from the peace talks. These apprehensions were further validated when Trump’s envoy for Ukraine indicated that European nations would not be included in preliminary discussions, despite soliciting contributions from them regarding security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelenskiy announced on Friday plans to visit the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, though he did not specify the timing of these visits. He also clarified that he would not meet with U.S. or Russian officials during his travels. Currently, Russia exercises control over a fifth of Ukrainian territory and has made incremental advancements in eastern Ukraine, while the smaller Ukrainian military grapples with manpower challenges.
Russia is demanding territorial concessions from Kyiv and a commitment to neutrality as conditions for peace. Conversely, Ukraine insists on Russia’s withdrawal from occupied areas and seeks NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees to deter further aggression from Moscow. The U.S. and European nations have supplied Ukraine with substantial military assistance since the onset of the conflict, with Trump supporting Ukraine while emphasizing the need for security assurances for U.S. funding.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine are currently underway regarding potential investments in Ukraine’s extensive natural resources. Reports indicate that the U.S. has proposed acquiring a 50 percent stake in Ukraine’s critical minerals sector, though Zelenskiy noted that the draft agreement lacks the necessary security provisions that Kyiv requires.
The upcoming U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia aim to address the three-year war in Ukraine, amidst concerns over Ukraine’s exclusion from the discussions. Both nations seek a resolution, although differences remain regarding territorial concessions and security guarantees. The involvement of U.S. officials shows a commitment to engaging with Russia, while the conflict’s complexities continue to pose significant challenges to peace efforts.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
