US-Russia Dialogue in Saudi Arabia Aims to Address Ukraine Conflict
US and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss efforts to conclude the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has stated that Ukraine was not invited to these talks and insists on consulting allies first. The meetings aim to facilitate a future summit involving President Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy. Territorial and security issues pose significant challenges to the peace discussions.
United States and Russian officials are set to convene in Saudi Arabia soon, aiming to discuss a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has lasted nearly three years. This meeting was confirmed by a US lawmaker and a source familiar with the arrangements. Notably, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine was not invited to these talks and emphasized that Kyiv would first consult with its allies before engaging with Russia.
A delegation comprising US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will represent the US at the meetings. It remains uncertain who the US officials will engage with from the Russian side during this diplomatic effort. Representative Michael McCaul expressed the objective of these discussions is to facilitate a meeting that would include US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Zelenskiy in hopes of concluding the conflict.
The confirmation of talks comes after McCaul’s comments during the Munich Security Conference, where he outlined the goals for peace negotiations. The State Department has not yet provided a comment on the proposed discussions. Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia follows his arrival in Israel as part of a broader tour of the Middle East.
Earlier on the same day, Rubio spoke via telephone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reaffirming Trump’s commitment to resolving the Ukraine conflict. They discussed maintaining regular contact to prepare for future meetings between Trump and Putin, a dialogue echoed by Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
Witkoff, who recently played a significant role in a prisoner exchange, even traveled to Moscow to facilitate the return of US detainee Marc Fogel. Following a recent announcement made by Trump, he tasked Rubio, Waltz, Witkoff, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe to expedite efforts to reach an agreement with Russia.
President Trump has consistently promised to swiftly conclude the war in Ukraine. His attempts to reach out to both Putin and Zelenskiy raised concerns among Washington’s European allies regarding their exclusion from the peace discussions. This apprehension was validated by Trump’s envoy, who indicated that European nations would not be included in the negotiations.
President Zelenskiy plans to visit the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye but stated he does not intend to meet with US or Russian officials during these trips. As the conflict continues, Russia retains control over a significant portion of Ukrainian territory and is making gradual advances in the east, while the Ukrainian forces face challenges in manpower and territorial defense.
Russia’s demand for Kyiv to concede territory and adopt a neutral stance in any potential peace agreement faces opposition from Ukraine, which insists on Russia’s withdrawal from occupied areas and seeks NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees. The US and its allies have provided extensive military aid to Ukraine since the conflict began, while Trump seeks to ensure security measures correlate with US funding initiatives.
Currently, US negotiations with Ukraine could lead to major investment opportunities in the country’s natural resources, with some reports suggesting a US proposal for a stake in 50 percent of Ukraine’s critical minerals. However, President Zelenskiy expressed concerns that the proposed deal does not include sufficient security provisions necessary for Ukraine’s protection.
In conclusion, high-level discussions between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia seek to resolve the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Despite Ukraine’s exclusion from these talks, both nations are committing to explore pathways toward peace, which could involve direct meetings among key leaders. However, critical issues such as territorial demands and security guarantees remain contentious, complicating the negotiations ahead.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
