US and Russia to Discuss Ukraine Conflict in Saudi Arabia Meeting

US and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia in a bid to resolve the Ukraine conflict, although Ukraine is not invited to participate. Key US figures will engage in talks aimed at organizing a meeting between President Trump and President Putin. Ongoing demands from both sides complicate potential peace efforts, while the US continues to provide military assistance to Ukraine.

United States and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia within the coming days to initiate discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as confirmed by a US lawmaker and an insider knowledgeable about the arrangements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed that Ukraine has not been invited to this meeting and that Kyiv will not engage with Russia without first consulting its strategic partners.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will participate in the talks. The identity of the Russian officials who will attend remains unclear. At the recent Munich Security Conference, Representative Michael McCaul mentioned that the objective is to arrange a meeting involving US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and President Zelenskiy with the goal of achieving peace.

A knowledgeable source has verified that discussions between US and Russian officials are set to occur in Saudi Arabia, although the State Department has yet to comment. Secretary of State Rubio had planned to visit Saudi Arabia as part of a Middle East tour that commenced in Israel. Earlier that day, he also had a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reaffirming Trump’s commitment to finding a resolution to the conflict.

They agreed to maintain regular communication to facilitate a meeting between Trump and Putin, as stated by Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Witkoff, a former real estate developer, played a significant role in a recent prisoner exchange and traveled to Moscow to secure the return of detained US citizen Marc Fogel. In a social media announcement regarding his call with Putin, Trump indicated that he had instructed key officials to act swiftly to negotiate a peace agreement.

Having taken office recently, Trump has reiterated his intention to rapidly conclude the conflict in Ukraine. His recent separate calls to both Putin and Zelenskiy have raised concerns among Washington’s European allies about being excluded from the peace negotiations. Those apprehensions intensified when Trump’s envoy confirmed that Europe would not participate in the discussions, after the US reached out for contributions towards security guarantees for Ukraine.

President Zelenskiy noted plans to visit the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey but clarified he had no intention of meeting with US or Russian officials during these trips. Currently, Russian forces control a fifth of Ukrainian territory and continue to advance slowly in the east, while Ukraine’s military faces manpower shortages. Moscow demands Ukraine concede territory and commit to permanent neutrality, whereas Ukraine insists on the withdrawal of Russian troops and seeks NATO membership or equivalent security assurances.

The US and Europe have provided substantial military aid to Ukraine since the onset of the conflict. President Trump supports Ukraine’s plight but emphasizes the need for security in return for US funding. Negotiations are underway between the US and Ukraine to open up Ukraine’s resources for US investment, proposing that the US would acquire a 50 percent stake in Ukraine’s critical minerals, a deal which Zelenskiy claims lacks necessary security provisions.

In summary, US and Russian officials will convene in Saudi Arabia to discuss potential resolutions to the Ukraine conflict, although Ukraine will not participate in these talks. Key US officials, including Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz, aim to facilitate a meeting between Trump and Putin. Russia’s demands for territory and Ukraine’s security concerns remain the core issues, while ongoing assistance from the US and Europe highlights the international dimension of this conflict. Finally, Zelenskiy’s upcoming regional visits do not include US or Russian engagements.

Original Source: www.dawn.com