U.S. and Russia Officials Set to Meet in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine Talks

U.S. and Russian officials plan to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the Ukraine conflict, with key U.S. leaders involved. Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy was not invited and awaits consultations with allies. The aim includes facilitating talks among the U.S. and Russian leaders to seek a resolution to the nearly three-year war, amidst concerns over European involvement in negotiations.

United States and Russian officials are set to convene in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss potential resolutions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for nearly three years. A member of the U.S. Congress and a knowledgeable source disclosed this information on Saturday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted that Ukraine has not been invited to these discussions and will await consultations with allies before engaging with Russia.

Key U.S. figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will attend the discussions. The specifics regarding their Russian counterparts remain unclear. U.S. Representative Michael McCaul emphasized the goal of these talks is to facilitate a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Zelenskiy to work towards a peaceful resolution.

During the Munich Security Conference, McCaul affirmed the meetings aim to arrange a significant dialogue to conclude the conflict. Sources confirm that discussions between American and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia are indeed in the works, although the U.S. State Department has not publicly commented on the matter yet. Rubio’s trip to Saudi Arabia had been planned prior to this, as he began his Middle East tour in Israel.

Earlier on Saturday, Rubio spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reaffirming President Trump’s commitment to resolving the war in Ukraine. Both parties agreed on maintaining regular communication to prepare for a future meeting between the two presidents, as conveyed by Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Notably, Witkoff was involved in a recent prisoner exchange facilitating engagement between the nations.

President Trump has emphasized his intention to expeditiously resolve the Ukraine conflict, making multiple calls to both Putin and Zelenskiy recently. It has sparked concerns among European allies regarding their involvement in the peace negotiations. The U.S. envoy for Ukraine further indicated that Europe would not participate in the upcoming talks, confirming anxieties raised earlier in the week regarding Washington’s approach.

Zelenskiy announced plans for visits to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, though he clarified he would not meet with U.S. or Russian representatives during these trips. Meanwhile, the situation in Ukraine remains precarious, with Moscow maintaining control over significant territories while Ukraine battles manpower shortages.

Russia’s peace conditions include demands for Ukraine to relinquish territory and declare neutrality, whereas Ukraine insists on a full Russian withdrawal and assurances of NATO membership or equivalent security measures. Since the conflict’s inception, the U.S. and Europe have provided substantial military aid to support Ukraine, with ongoing discussions addressing potential investments in Ukraine’s natural resources.

In conclusion, the impending talks in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Russian officials represent a significant opportunity to address the stalemate in the Ukraine conflict. While key U.S. leaders will partake in the discussions aimed at establishing communication between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy, the exclusion of Ukraine from the talks raises strategic concerns. The complex dynamics of territorial and security demands underscore the challenge in achieving a feasible and lasting peace agreement amid continued military support for Ukraine.

Original Source: www.dawn.com