US and Russia Set for Talks in Saudi Arabia on Ukraine Conflict
US and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to initiate talks aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. Senior officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, will lead the US delegation. Sources say the Kremlin is assembling a high-level team for the meeting, though its members remain unclear.
The talks come as President Donald Trump works to resolve the conflict quickly. On Wednesday, he held phone calls with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. European allies voiced concerns that they might be sidelined in the peace process.
Zelenskyy has made it clear that Ukraine was not invited to the Saudi talks and will not engage with Russia before consulting its strategic partners. He also revealed plans to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey but stated that he would not meet with US or Russian officials. Trump has hinted at a future meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman playing a significant role in facilitating these talks.
On a separate front, Rubio held a call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, reaffirming both sides’ commitment to address international issues, including the war in Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry called this conversation a step toward preparing for a high-level US-Russia meeting.
The war continues to rage, with Russia holding about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory. Russia has made slow advances in the east, while Ukraine pushes for Russian troop withdrawals and NATO membership guarantees. Moscow insists Ukraine cede territory and adopt permanent neutrality as part of a peace deal.
Since the war began, the US and European countries have supplied Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid. Trump has stated his support for Ukraine but seeks stronger assurances regarding the US financial commitment. Meanwhile, the US and Ukraine are negotiating a deal that could see American investment in Ukraine’s natural resources. However, Zelenskyy has voiced concerns over the lack of essential security provisions in the draft agreement.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the talks in Saudi Arabia could pave the way for high-level negotiations involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy. The goal is to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, which has wreaked havoc in Ukraine and strained international relations.
