Trump Initiates Ukraine Peace Talks While Planning Saudi Meeting with Putin

President Trump has initiated talks aimed at resolving the Ukraine war, planning to meet Putin in Saudi Arabia without Ukrainian participation. Following calls with both leaders, he formed a new negotiating team and suggested Ukraine may need to concede Crimea and NATO ambitions. While Cabinet members engage in European dialogue, the administration emphasizes realistic resolutions and the absence of U.S. troops in Ukraine’s security guarantees.

In a recent announcement, President Donald Trump indicated his intention to convene with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia to further discussions aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Although a specific date for this meeting has yet to be determined, Trump emphasized that the dialogue regarding a resolution to the nearly three-year war is officially underway. Notably, Ukraine has not been invited to participate in these negotiations.

Following back-to-back calls with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump appointed a new negotiating team to facilitate the peace talks. These conversations mark a significant escalation in U.S. diplomatic efforts as the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches. During his campaign, Trump pledged to conclude the war within six months of taking office, highlighting a shift in focus towards negotiations.

While in Europe, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that, for a peace deal to materialize, Ukraine may need to relinquish claims to Crimea and abandon aspirations for NATO membership. Trump echoed these sentiments, expressing skepticism about the viability of reclaiming pre-2014 borders.

Putin extended an invitation for Trump to visit Russia during their call, and Trump implied that a potential visit to Ukraine could be considered in due course. He announced significant changes to his negotiating team, appointing Secretary of State Marco Rubio among others, while indicating that Keith Kellogg, who previously led discussions, would continue to participate in negotiations despite not being included in the new team.

As members of Trump’s Cabinet traveled to Europe, Hegseth’s remarks during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group underscored the administration’s strategy regarding the ongoing war. He asserted the need for realistic objectives, stating that pursuing pre-2014 borders is impractical and emphasizing that U.S. troops would not be deployed in Ukraine under any security agreement.

In summary, President Trump’s plans for a meeting with President Putin signify a renewed U.S. effort to negotiate peace in Ukraine, with new dynamics involving potential concessions from Ukraine on territory and NATO aspirations. The reshuffling of the negotiating team and statements regarding security guarantees reflect a strategic approach to a long-standing conflict, while the absence of Ukrainian leadership in these discussions raises concerns about their sovereignty and inclusion in the peace process.

Original Source: www.usatoday.com