Trump Administration Officials to Engage in Key Meetings with Russian and Ukrainian Delegations in Saudi Arabia
This week, Trump officials are set to meet with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia. Following a proposed peace plan last month, these talks aim to address ongoing tensions and mend US-Ukraine relations. The meetings include discussions on potential sanctions against Russia as part of diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire.
This week, prominent Trump administration officials are scheduled to hold separate meetings with both Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia, as reported by CNN on March 9. President Trump noted, “Big meetings coming up… in Saudi Arabia. That’s going to include Russia, but Ukraine, we’ll see if we can get something done.”
These discussions will follow previous meetings held last month, including a US-Russian session on February 18, during which a three-step peace plan was proposed. This plan outlined a ceasefire, subsequent elections in Ukraine, followed by a final agreement.
Additionally, these talks come after a meeting in the Oval Office last month involving Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During this discussion, Trump and Vance criticized Zelensky about the ongoing war, while the Ukrainian leader expressed concerns regarding security guarantees and prior agreements with Russia.
Efforts to mend relations between the US and Ukraine have ensued since the meeting, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio among those scheduled to engage with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Prior to the US-Ukraine discussions, the Ukrainian delegation is set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.
US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg had previously characterized American pressure on Ukraine as akin to “hitting a mule with a board on the nose – you got their attention,” implying that the suspension of military aid was intended to motivate Ukraine towards negotiations.
Moreover, President Trump indicated he might also place pressure on Russia, suggesting on Truth Social that he was “seriously considering implementing massive Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs against Russia until a ceasefire and FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT is reached.” However, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated on March 10 that no US-Russia meetings would be conducted that week.
The forthcoming meetings in Saudi Arabia between Trump administration officials and both Russian and Ukrainian delegations highlight a continued effort to negotiate peace amidst ongoing conflict. The previously proposed three-step plan and discussions between US officials and Zelensky indicate a complex diplomatic landscape. While efforts are underway to repair US-Ukraine relations, President Trump’s potential sanctions against Russia indicate a dual approach to pressing for peace.
Original Source: euromaidanpress.com
