Senior officials from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration are set to initiate peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, according to U.S. Representative Michael McCaul and sources familiar with the planning. The talks, which aim to address the ongoing conflict that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, are being closely monitored by global leaders.
Key Figures in the Talks
Leading the U.S. delegation are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff. Representative Michael McCaul, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, confirmed their travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators.
McCaul emphasized that the goal of these discussions is to arrange a high-level meeting involving President Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This potential meeting, he said, could serve as a critical step toward ending the conflict.
Diverging Expectations Between Russia and Ukraine
Russia’s demands focus on Ukraine ceding territory and adopting permanent neutrality as part of any peace agreement. Meanwhile, Ukraine insists on the withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied regions and seeks NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees to prevent future aggression from Moscow.
The disparity in these positions highlights the significant challenges facing negotiators. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently discussed the conflict in a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Ukrainian officials remain skeptical about the talks.
Zelenskyy’s Response
When asked about the Saudi talks, President Zelenskyy, attending the Munich Security Conference, expressed reservations. “Maybe there is something on the table, but not on our table,” Zelenskyy told reporters. He noted that Ukraine had not received any formal invitation to participate in the initial discussions and reiterated the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in any negotiations.
“It would be strange for me to speak with U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia if we haven’t had any negotiations between us and our strategic partners,” Zelenskyy added, emphasizing that Russia could not be considered a strategic partner.
Zelenskyy also made it clear that Ukraine would not accept any peace deals forged without its input. “Ukraine will never accept agreements reached behind its back,” he said, stressing the need for collaboration with the United States and Europe before any potential Trump-Putin meeting.
Concerns Over Unilateral Negotiations
Trump’s approach to the talks has raised concerns among Ukraine and its European allies. His recent overtures to Putin, accompanied by what appeared to be potential concessions, alarmed NATO members. European officials have taken a firm stance, asserting that any peace agreement would be unworkable without their and Ukraine’s involvement.
In response to these concerns, Trump stated on Thursday that Ukraine would have a seat at the table during any peace negotiations. However, Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials remain wary of the United States bypassing Kyiv in its efforts to broker peace.
Broader Implications
The Saudi-hosted talks are part of broader geopolitical efforts to stabilize the region and address the critical minerals trade, an area of strategic importance to the United States. Zelenskyy revealed that a draft deal from Washington regarding Ukraine’s critical minerals lacked necessary security provisions. Sources suggest the U.S. has proposed taking ownership of 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals, creating additional friction in bilateral relations.
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