Talks in Saudi Arabia aim to ease tensions over Ukraine
The date for the meeting between representatives of Russia and the USA in Saudi Arabia has been set. According to the TASS agency, the US delegation will travel to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russia on the evening of 16th February, and expects significant progress in resolving the Ukrainian conflict.
The information that the US delegation will travel to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russia on the evening of 16th February and expects significant progress in resolving the Ukrainian conflict was conveyed by Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Stephen Witkoff.
Attending the talks in Saudi Arabia on behalf of the United States will be US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Steve Witkoff. The purpose of their visit is to engage in discussions with Russian envoys regarding ending the conflict in Ukraine.
American Congressman Michael McCaul stated on Saturday in Munich that the main topic of the discussions will be the preparation of a meeting between the presidents of the USA, Ukraine, and Russia. The goal is to achieve peace and end the ongoing conflict. According to the Reuters agency, it is not yet clear who will represent the Russian side during these preliminary discussions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine has not been invited to the talks. He emphasised that Kyiv will not begin negotiations with Russia without consulting its strategic partners. Zelensky also announced visits to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, although he did not provide specific dates.
Concerns of European allies
The discussions between American diplomats and Russians have raised concerns among the USA's European allies. They fear being excluded from the peace process. The US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Gen. Keith Kellogg, confirmed in Munich that Europe will not directly participate in the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. "We will not repeat Minsk," he stated.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Marco Rubio had spoken with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Both politicians decided to maintain regular contact ahead of the planned talks between Presidents Trump and Putin. Trump, who recently spoke by phone with Putin and Zelensky, has repeatedly declared his desire for a swift end to the war in Ukraine.
