U.S. and Russian officials are preparing for essential talks aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine. These meetings come after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a shift in diplomatic relations.
Who’s Attending the Talks?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and President Putin’s foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov, will lead the Russian delegation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will head the American team, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and national security advisor Mike Waltz also attending the talks.
Main Focus: Restoring Relations and Seeking Peace
The main agenda of these talks is to restore U.S.-Russia relations and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that one of the objectives is to prepare for a potential summit between Presidents Trump and Putin.
This meeting follows a phone call in which Trump and Putin agreed to begin negotiations to end the war. This represents a dramatic shift in U.S. policy, ending the diplomatic isolation of Moscow that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Will Ukraine Be Part of the Talks?
Trump confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will play a role in the peace process. However, it is still unclear whether Ukraine will directly participate in the talks in Saudi Arabia.
While a Ukrainian delegation is already in Saudi Arabia, their focus is on economic ties rather than peace talks. Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that the primary goal is to finalize key economic agreements.
Ukrainian Officials Reject Direct Talks with Russia
Ukrainian officials are adamant that they will not engage in direct talks with Russia unless there is a clear plan for a “just peace.” Andriy Yermak, a senior advisor to President Zelenskyy, emphasized that Ukraine will participate only if conditions are right.
Mykhailo Podolyak, another top advisor to Zelenskyy, firmly stated that “nothing worth discussing” is currently on the table. He rejected the notion of Ukraine engaging in talks without a clear framework for peace.
The Road Ahead for Peace
While U.S. officials remain optimistic about progress, the path to peace is far from certain. The central question is whether peace can be reached without Ukraine’s full involvement. European governments, aligning with Zelenskyy’s position, insist that Ukraine must be included in the peace process for any agreement to be credible.
