U.S. and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss the resolution of the ongoing Ukraine war, which has included a proposal for high-level discussions involving the U.S. and Russian presidents. Ukraine’s involvement has been excluded from the meeting. Concerns are growing regarding the exclusion of European allies from the peace discussions.
United States and Russian officials are set to convene in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to initiate discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This information was shared by a U.S. lawmaker and a source familiar with the planning of the talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine has not been invited to the discussions and will refrain from engaging with Russia until strategic partners are consulted.
Key U.S. figures attending the meeting include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Although it remains unclear who their Russian counterparts will be, Representative Michael McCaul indicated that the dialogue seeks to pave the way for a significant meeting involving President Donald Trump, President Vladimir Putin, and President Zelenskiy to facilitate peace.
Confirming the event, a source with knowledge of the discussions has noted that these talks are indeed happening in Saudi Arabia. The U.S. State Department did not immediately provide comment following the announcement. Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia coincides with a tour of Israel, marking his first trip to the Middle East.
On the same day, Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a telephone conversation in which Rubio reiterated Trump’s commitment to resolving the Ukraine conflict. They mutually agreed on maintaining regular communication to prepare for the anticipated meeting between Trump and Putin.
Witkoff has played a crucial role in a recent prisoner exchange and has been involved in negotiations for the potential meeting. Additionally, Trump has expressed a desire to resolve the conflict swiftly, raising concerns among European allies who fear being excluded from the peace process. Trump’s envoy for Ukraine has indicated that Europe might not participate in these discussions.
Zelenskiy is planning visits to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye but has no plans to engage with U.S. or Russian officials during these trips. The current situation in the conflict remains serious, with Russian forces controlling significant portions of Ukraine, while Ukraine continues to withstand attacks despite manpower shortages.
The upcoming meeting between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia aims to address the conflict in Ukraine by potentially arranging a high-level meeting among key leaders. While Ukraine has not been involved in the discussions, U.S. officials emphasize their commitment to finding a resolution. Meanwhile, concerns persist about the exclusion of European allies from the peace process and the ongoing conflict’s impact on regional stability.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
