Top U.S. and Russian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss an end to the Ukraine war, marking the first major diplomatic engagement since the conflict began. The talks will be bilateral, excluding Ukrainian representatives, which has raised concerns from Kyiv. Saudi Arabia seeks to enhance its role in international diplomacy through this meeting.
Top officials from Russia and the United States are scheduled to conduct discussions in Saudi Arabia aimed at negotiating an end to the prolonged war in Ukraine. This meeting represents a critical moment since the Russian invasion began nearly three years ago, and is intended to prepare for a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin.
Attending the talks are Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who stated that the discussions will be strictly bilateral, excluding Ukrainian representatives. U.S. participants include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff as confirmed by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
The recent surge in U.S. diplomatic engagement has raised concerns in Kyiv and among allied nations regarding potential agreements that may overlook their interests. In response, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly declared that Kyiv would not accept any outcomes from the talks in their absence, emphasizing the necessity of Ukraine’s involvement.
Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, highlighted the global importance of U.S.-Russia cooperation, asserting that joint efforts are essential for addressing various international challenges. Additionally, the Saudi state-run media has emphasized Russia’s desire for a genuine normalization of relations with the U.S. through these discussions.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of these talks is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s strategy to position the kingdom at the center of international diplomatic negotiations. With previous successful mediation efforts and hosting Zelenskyy for an Arab League summit, this meeting further enhances Saudi Arabia’s global standing.
Furthermore, hosting these high-profile discussions serves to mitigate negative perceptions related to the Crown Prince following past controversies. As global attention turns to Riyadh, commentators note this represents a pivotal moment that highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing diplomatic influence on the international stage.
The Saudi media’s portrayal of the meeting reflects the strategic importance of these discussions amidst broader geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
The impending talks between U.S. and Russian officials mark a significant effort to find common ground in resolving the Ukraine conflict while skipping direct Ukrainian involvement. The U.S. and Russia aim to strengthen their diplomatic ties through these discussions, with Saudi Arabia playing a crucial role as a mediator. The outcomes of these negotiations will be closely monitored by global leaders, especially concerning their implications for Ukraine and U.S. foreign policy.
Original Source: apnews.com
