Top Trump administration officials are scheduled to hold talks with senior Russian officials in Saudi Arabia to initiate discussions aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting is expected to include National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. President Donald Trump recently expressed his desire to swiftly end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine following a productive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul confirmed the plans for the meeting, emphasizing the involvement of Rubio, Waltz, and Witkoff in engaging with Ukrainian and Russian representatives. The State Department announced Rubio's upcoming travel to Saudi Arabia as part of a broader trip to Munich and the Middle East.
During a call between Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to finding a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. The Russian Foreign Ministry highlighted the mutual dedication to cooperating on international issues, including the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Trump's Russia-Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, emphasized the necessity for Russia to make concessions, particularly regarding territorial matters and the potential renunciation of the use of force. Kellogg suggested that the US could pressure Russia through sanctions and disrupt its alliances with other countries.
Regarding negotiations, Kellogg stated that Europeans would not be directly involved in the talks, with Ukrainians being present alongside American representatives. He cited past diplomatic efforts, such as the Minsk II agreement, which faced challenges in implementation and ultimately failed to bring lasting stability to the region.
The current negotiation efforts are described as a dual track approach, with separate lines of communication with Russian and Ukrainian counterparts. The aim is to expedite the peace process and address the complexities of the conflict in Ukraine.
