U.S. and Russian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy is not invited and will not engage with Russia without consulting allies. The talks aim to set a summit involving U.S. President Trump, President Putin, and Zelenskiy. The U.S. and Ukraine are also discussing U.S. investment in Ukraine’s natural resources amidst ongoing military support for Ukraine.
Officials from the United States and Russia are set to convene in Saudi Arabia in the upcoming days to initiate discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This development was confirmed by a U.S. lawmaker as well as a source familiar with the arrangements. Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, following a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, stated that Ukraine would not participate in the talks without prior consultations with its strategic allies.
The delegation traveling to Saudi Arabia will consist of key U.S. figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The exact Russian officials they will engage with remain unclear. Representative Michael McCaul mentioned that the overarching goal of these discussions is to organize a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and President Zelenskiy to work towards establishing peace.
During the Munich Security Conference, McCaul emphasized the intent of these meetings, aimed at concluding hostilities in Ukraine. A knowledgeable source confirmed the planned U.S.-Russian talks in Saudi Arabia; however, the U.S. State Department did not immediately issue a response to inquiries regarding this matter. Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia had already been scheduled as part of his first tour of the Middle East, which commenced with his arrival in Israel.
On Saturday, Rubio communicated with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, affirming President Trump’s commitment to ending the Ukraine conflict. They mutually agreed on establishing regular communication to facilitate a forthcoming meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin. Recently, Witkoff played a significant role in a prisoner exchange that enabled the Trump-Putin discussion.
President Trump, who assumed office this January, has consistently expressed urgency in resolving the Ukraine war. He recently contacted both Presidents Putin and Zelenskiy, leading to concerns among Washington’s European allies regarding their exclusion from any peace process. These concerns were echoed by Trump’s envoy, who stated that Europe would not be included in the discussions regarding Ukrainian security guarantees.
President Zelenskiy announced plans to visit the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey but specified he would not meet with U.S. or Russian officials during these trips. Currently, Russia maintains control over a significant portion of Ukraine and continues to advance in eastern regions. Ukrainian forces are facing challenges with manpower shortages, striving to maintain territory in the west against increasing Russian pressure.
Russia demands Ukraine relinquish territorial claims and adopt a stance of permanent neutrality in any potential peace agreement. Conversely, Ukraine expects Russian withdrawal from seized land and seeks NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees to fend off future Russian aggression. Since the onset of the conflict, the U.S. and European nations have provided substantial military aid to Ukraine.
In tandem, the U.S. and Ukraine are negotiating terms that would permit significant U.S. investment in Ukraine’s natural resources. Proposed plans by the U.S. suggest acquiring a 50% stake in Ukraine’s critical minerals; however, President Zelenskiy indicated that the current draft does not sufficiently address Ukraine’s security needs.
In summary, U.S. and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss peace negotiations for the Ukraine conflict, with significant involvement from high-ranking officials. Ukraine’s absence from these discussions raises concerns, as it seeks clarity on security guarantees. The ongoing situation remains tense, with both nations holding firm to their demands while the conflict persists.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
