Trump Officials to Meet Russian Diplomats on Ukraine Peace Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Senior American and Russian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss US-Russia relations and the Ukraine war, marking a significant shift in US diplomacy. The talks, directed by President Trump, exclude Ukraine, prompting concerns from Kyiv and European allies. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy insists his country must be involved and plans meetings in Turkey and Saudi Arabia to secure support.
US-Russia Peace Talks Quick Look:
- Meeting Location & Date: Scheduled for Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Key Participants: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov.
- Agenda: Restoring US-Russia relations, discussing a Ukraine peace settlement, and preparing for a Trump-Putin meeting.
- Ukraine’s Absence: Kyiv was not invited, sparking backlash from President Zelenskyy.
- International Reactions: France and the UK called an emergency EU meeting over US diplomacy.
- Trump’s Position: Claims Ukraine “will be involved” but gives no details.
- Zelenskyy’s Response: Insists no deal is valid without Ukraine’s participation.
- Security Concerns: Ukraine demands written security guarantees before opening mineral resources to the US.
Trump Officials to Meet Russian Diplomats on Ukraine Peace Deal
Deep Look: US-Russia Talks on Ukraine War Exclude Kyiv
Senior officials from the United States and Russia are set to engage in high-level diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, aiming to discuss relations between the two nations and possible resolutions to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting, confirmed by the Kremlin, represents the most significant engagement between Washington and Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.
This shift in diplomatic strategy, orchestrated by the Trump administration, has drawn sharp reactions from Ukraine and key European allies. While the United States had previously maintained a policy of isolating Russia, this meeting signals a potential shift toward direct negotiations. European nations, wary of being sidelined, have convened an emergency meeting to strategize their response.
Who’s Attending—and Who’s Not
The Russian delegation will include Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov, while the American team will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Notably, Ukraine has not been invited, a decision that has caused outrage in Kyiv.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the discussions would center on reestablishing US-Russia relations, exploring a potential peace settlement, and laying the groundwork for a future meeting between President Trump and President Putin.
US Diplomatic Shift Sparks Global Concern
The decision to engage directly with Moscow without Ukraine’s presence marks a stark departure from the previous administration’s stance. Trump’s recent phone call with Putin, where both leaders agreed to start negotiations, signaled a potential end to Washington’s policy of isolating Russia. Following that call, Trump also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but details of their discussion remain vague.
Trump has assured reporters that Zelenskyy “will be involved,” but the Ukrainian president has dismissed the talks as unproductive without direct Ukrainian participation. In a press conference, Zelenskyy declared that his government would not recognize any agreements made in its absence.
Europe Reacts as Ukraine Pushes for Inclusion
European leaders have also voiced concerns over the US-Russia discussions. French and British officials called an emergency EU meeting on Monday to assess the situation. Many European nations, which have provided financial and military aid to Ukraine, are pushing for direct involvement in any negotiations.
Lavrov dismissed these concerns, stating, “I don’t know what they have to do at the negotiations table.”
Security Guarantees and US Interests in Ukraine
Amid growing uncertainty, Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, retired General Keith Kellogg, is scheduled to visit Kyiv on February 20. Zelenskyy hopes to take Kellogg to the front lines, ensuring that his first-hand observations influence future US policy.
One of the critical issues in these discussions is Ukraine’s security. Zelenskyy has stated that before any agreement on opening Ukrainian mineral resources to the US, Kyiv must receive binding security guarantees. Without these assurances, Ukraine fears another Russian invasion, even if a temporary peace deal is reached.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently suggested that Ukraine should abandon its goal of regaining all its occupied territories and acknowledged that NATO membership for Ukraine remains unrealistic—positions that align with Russian demands.
As tensions mount, Zelenskyy has planned a diplomatic tour, visiting Turkey and Saudi Arabia in the coming days. Although he has downplayed any direct connection to the US-Russia talks, his trip aims to secure additional international backing.
With high-stakes negotiations underway, the world watches as Washington and Moscow attempt to reshape the diplomatic landscape—without Kyiv at the table.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.