The Trump administration is initiating peace talks in Saudi Arabia involving U.S. officials and Ukrainian President Zelensky, aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. There are discussions on a critical minerals deal, but Europe will be excluded from negotiations, prompting concerns about European security roles. Zelensky emphasizes the importance of Ukraine being included in any agreements.
Senior officials from the Trump administration are set to begin peace negotiations concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict in Saudi Arabia shortly, with discussions reportedly including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. U.S. Representative Michael McCaul mentioned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to participate in these discussions. The objective is to arrange a meeting that includes Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Zelensky to pursue a resolution for peace.
President Zelensky has expressed strong opposition to any peace agreements made without Ukraine’s involvement, insisting that he will not accept negotiations that overlook Kyiv’s interests. Furthermore, there is ongoing pressure on establishing a collaborative strategy with the U.S. and European allies before any potential talks between Trump and Putin can take place. Concurrently, ongoing negotiations involve a critical mineral deal between Ukraine and the U.S., which Zelensky states lacks necessary security guarantees.
Notably, there will be no European representatives in these peace talks according to Trump’s Ukraine envoy. This decision follows recent inquiries from Washington to European nations about their contributions to Ukraine’s security. Trump administration officials have communicated a shift in focus towards other areas, including border security and countering China’s influence, leaving European allies with the responsibility of engaging with regional security issues.
Kellogg, a Trump administration official, ruled out the possibility of European involvement in the talks, indicating a realist perspective on the matter. He later attempted to alleviate concerns, stating that this exclusion does not equate to disregarding European interests in discussions regarding the conflict.
European leaders, however, have expressed their determination not to be sidelined in negotiations concerning Ukraine’s future or European security frameworks. Finnish President Alexander Stubb emphasized, “There’s no way in which we can have discussions or negotiations about Ukraine, Ukraine’s future or European security structure, without Europeans,” urging that Europe must transition from dialogue to action.
The upcoming peace talks in Saudi Arabia, driven by Trump’s team, aim to address the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with significant participants including Zelensky. However, the exclusion of European nations raises concerns regarding the future structure of European security and the necessary collaboration for sustainable peace, which leaders insist is vital for effective negotiation.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
