U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss peace in Ukraine, although Ukraine itself won’t participate. The discussions aim to arrange a meeting among Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy. Concerns grow over Europe’s exclusion from the peace process as the conflict continues amidst significant military support for Ukraine from the U.S. and allies.
U.S. and Russian officials are planning talks in Saudi Arabia to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, as confirmed by a U.S. lawmaker. This meeting aims to initiate discussions surrounding a potential resolution to the conflict, which has persisted for nearly three years. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted that Ukraine was not included in these discussions and emphasized the need for consultation with strategic partners before engaging with Russia.
U.S. dignitaries, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz, will join the talks in Saudi Arabia, although it remains unclear who their Russian counterparts will be. Representative Michael McCaul indicated that the discussions seek to facilitate a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Zelenskiy to promote peace and an end to hostilities.
Concerns arose when Trump’s recent phone conversations with both Putin and Zelenskiy alarmed European allies, leading to speculation that they may be excluded from the peace negotiations. An envoy clarified that Europe would not participate in the discussions, which could undermine the collective security posture for Ukraine as Washington seeks contributions from Europe regarding security guarantees.
On the diplomatic front, Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed on establishing consistent dialogues to prepare for the prospective Trump-Putin meeting. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy mentioned future visits to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey but did not plan to meet with U.S. or Russian officials on these trips.
Currently, Russia occupies a significant portion of Ukraine, making gradual territorial gains. The conflicting demands hamper peace negotiations, with Russia insisting on Ukraine’s territorial concessions and neutrality, while Ukraine is demanding a withdrawal of Russian troops and NATO membership for protection. The U.S. and its allies have provided substantial military assistance to Ukraine since the conflict began, focusing on ensuring regional security.
Additionally, negotiations are underway regarding a potential deal that would facilitate U.S. investments in Ukraine’s rich natural resources, with proposals suggesting U.S. ownership of 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals. However, Zelenskiy highlighted his concerns that the draft was lacking essential security provisions for Ukraine.
In summary, U.S. and Russian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to open discussions aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict without involving Ukraine directly. Current territorial control and demands pose significant challenges to negotiations. Both sides have differing prerequisites for peace, pressing the need for continued U.S. military and financial support to Ukraine. The negotiations for U.S. investments in Ukrainian resources further complicate the situation, emphasizing the strategic interests at stake.
Original Source: gazette.com
