Key discussions between Trump officials and Russian and Ukrainian delegations are scheduled in Saudi Arabia, focused on peace negotiations. These follow previous initiatives and strained diplomatic communications, underscoring the complexities of the situation.
Top officials from the Trump administration are set to engage in separate discussions with Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia this week, as reported by CNN on March 9. President Trump commented, “Big meetings coming up, as you know, in Saudi Arabia. That’s going to include Russia, but Ukraine, we’ll see if we can get something done,” indicating the significance of these meetings.
These upcoming discussions will occur following a series of talks last month, including a US-Russian meeting in Saudi Arabia on February 18 that proposed a three-step peace plan: initiating a ceasefire, conducting elections in Ukraine, and ultimately finalizing the agreement. Additionally, a previous Oval Office meeting involved Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where tensions arose over the ongoing war and security guarantees.
In preparation for the discussions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the Ukrainian delegation is anticipated to engage with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh prior to the commencement of the US-Ukrainian talks. Previous statements from US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg described American pressure on Ukraine as a necessary measure to prompt negotiations.
President Trump has also hinted at exerting pressure on Russia, suggesting on Truth Social that he is “seriously considering implementing massive Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs against Russia until a ceasefire and FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT is reached.” In light of these developments, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that no US-Russia meetings would happen this week.
In summary, pivotal meetings between Trump administration officials and delegations from Russia and Ukraine are taking place in Saudi Arabia this week, aiming to address ongoing tensions and propose pathways to peace. The diplomatic endeavors follow strained relations discussed in previous meetings and highlight efforts to reconcile both parties’ positions. President Trump has indicated a willingness to apply economic pressure on Russia while extending discussions with Ukraine.
Original Source: euromaidanpress.com