According to multiple sources, talks between the US and Russia regarding the war in Ukraine are scheduled to commence on Tuesday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff, and national security adviser Mike Waltz are all en route to Saudi Arabia for the discussions. A Saudi official revealed that their team will play a mediation role, with their national security adviser leading the delegation.
Notably, a Ukrainian official confirmed their absence from the talks. However, Keith Kellogg, the Trump administration’s Russia-Ukraine envoy, is expected to engage in a 'dual track' set of negotiations in Kyiv this week. President Donald Trump also mentioned that Ukrainians will be involved in the negotiations.
President Trump has expressed the importance of Saudi Arabia's role in the negotiations, highlighting the country's significance in US foreign policy during his presidency. Just last week, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played a crucial role in securing the release of detained American Marc Fogel in Russia.
It is worth noting that Trump's inaugural foreign trip during his first term as president was to Saudi Arabia in 2017. The upcoming talks between the US and Russia hold significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with key players from both sides gearing up for discussions in Saudi Arabia.
