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IN a significant development, U.S. and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to begin talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The meeting is expected to pave the way for a broader peace process after nearly three years of war.
U.S. Representative Michael McCaul confirmed the upcoming talks, which will involve high-level officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
However, the specifics of the Russian delegation remain unclear.
Reuters reported according to McCaul, the ultimate goal of the talks is to arrange a face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, with the intention of finally bringing an end to the war.
While the talks are set to take place in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian President Zelenskiy made it clear that Ukraine was not invited to participate directly in the discussions. Zelenskiy, who met with U.S. Vice
President JD Vance in Germany on Friday, stated that Ukraine would not engage with Russia unless it had first consulted with its strategic allies.
“We need to consult with our partners before any further steps,” Zelenskiy said, underscoring the importance of coordinating with allies before engaging in talks with Moscow.
The U.S. State Department did not immediately comment on the development, but a source familiar with the planning confirmed that discussions between U.S. and Russian officials were indeed scheduled for Saudi Arabia.
Concerns Over Exclusion of Europe from Peace Process
Meanwhile, European allies expressed growing concerns over the direction of the peace talks after U.S. President Trump, who has pledged to swiftly end the Ukraine conflict, made separate phone calls to both Putin and Zelenskiy earlier this week.
These calls have raised alarms in European capitals, with many fearing that Washington might exclude Europe from a potential peace process.
These concerns were further amplified when Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine stated that Europe would not have a seat at the table during any discussions.
The U.S. recently sent a questionnaire to European capitals asking what they could contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine, further signaling that the continent might play a limited role in the negotiations.
Ukrainian officials also expressed frustration over a draft minerals deal proposed by the U.S. that lacked the essential security provisions Kyiv requires.
The proposed deal is centered around opening up Ukraine's vast natural resources to U.S. investment, but Zelenskiy made it clear that the agreement did not address Ukraine’s security needs, which remain a priority for Kyiv as it seeks assurances against further aggression from Russia.
Zelenskiy’s Upcoming Regional Visit
Despite the ongoing developments, Zelenskiy is planning a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey in the near future, although the timing of the trip has not been confirmed.
During this visit, Zelenskiy stated that he does not intend to meet with either U.S. or Russian officials, further highlighting Ukraine’s cautious approach to direct negotiations with Moscow.
The war in Ukraine, now in its third year, has led to significant territorial changes. Moscow currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory and has been making gradual progress in the eastern regions.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military continues to struggle with manpower shortages as it defends key areas, including parts of western Russia.
The conflict has led to growing international divisions, with Russia demanding that Ukraine cede territory and adopt a neutral stance in any potential peace agreement. Ukraine, on the other hand, insists on Russia’s full withdrawal from occupied territories and seeks NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees to prevent future attacks from Moscow.
Western support for Ukraine has been unwavering, with the U.S. and European nations providing tens of billions of dollars in military aid since the war began.
However, Trump has repeatedly stated that while he supports Ukraine, he believes there must be greater security assurances for U.S. funding, suggesting that American interests and priorities could influence the peace negotiations.
A New Phase for Ukraine's Natural Resources
In addition to peace talks, the U.S. and Ukraine are currently in negotiations over a deal that could unlock Ukraine's extensive natural resources for American investment.
Sources close to the discussions indicated that the U.S. has proposed taking ownership of up to 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals, a significant proposal given Ukraine’s rich deposits of resources such as lithium and rare earth elements.
However, Zelenskiy expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal, stating that the deal did not adequately address Ukraine’s security concerns.
As the conflict continues to unfold, all eyes are on the upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia and the potential for a breakthrough that could bring an end to the war. However, with the stakes so high and the interests of multiple global powers at play, the road to peace remains fraught with challenges. - February 16, 2025
