Donald Trump stated that U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials will meet next week in Saudi Arabia for peace talks about the Ukraine war. This follows Trump’s productive phone call with Putin, leading to negotiations commencing soon. Concerns remain about Ukraine’s representation in these discussions, with Zelenskyy warning against trusting Putin’s claims about peace.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that senior officials from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine will convene in Saudi Arabia next week to discuss ending the Ukraine conflict. This news follows his proposal for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the same location. Trump remarked, “Tomorrow there’s a meeting in Munich and then next week, there’s a meeting in Saudi Arabia, not with myself or President Putin, but with top officials. And Ukraine will be a part of it too.” Trump and Putin agreed to initiate negotiations after a productive call, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy regarding the war.
Trump emphasized his intention to conclude the war quickly, mentioning that talks will be led by his special envoy, Steve Witkoff. He stated his commitment to a peaceful resolution, saying, “It is time to stop this ridiculous war, where there has been massive, and totally unnecessary, death and destruction. God bless the people of Russia and Ukraine.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that Ukraine’s NATO membership is unlikely, suggesting that Ukraine may need to concede some territory. Concerns arise in Kyiv about whether U.S.-Russian negotiations will adequately represent Ukrainian interests. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Germany, asserting that any agreement made without Ukraine’s participation will be unacceptable.
Zelenskyy urged caution regarding Putin’s willingness to negotiate, highlighting the necessity for a clear U.S. strategy to counter him. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas warned against secret deals, stating, “any deal behind our backs will not work,” emphasizing that appeasement efforts often fail. In Munich, high-level discussions are set to occur, though the Ukrainian presidency remains uncertain about their participation, indicating that as of now, no proposals have been made public.
The prospect of peace talks in Saudi Arabia involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine presents a significant diplomatic effort to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump’s interactions with both Putin and Zelenskyy underscore the urgency and complexity of negotiations, raising concerns about Ukrainian representation. Additionally, assurances against secretive agreements highlight the geopolitical sensitivities at play, underscoring the challenges ahead as international stakeholders seek resolution.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
