US, Russia To Hold Ukraine Talks In Riyadh, Excluding EU, Kyiv
The US, Russia to Hold Ukraine Talks in Riyadh, Excluding EU, Kyiv, as officials from both nations are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss resolving the Ukraine conflict. However, the exclusion of Ukraine and European Union representatives from these discussions has sparked controversy.
Key Participants and Agenda
The high-level meeting will bring together:
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
- U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz
- Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff
- Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy advisor
The talks aim to address both the Ukraine conflict and broader U.S.-Russia relations, potentially paving the way for a presidential summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine’s Response and Concerns
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly objected to the talks, stating that:
- Ukraine was not invited to participate
- The country will not accept any outcomes from discussions held without its involvement
- No direct Ukrainian-Russian meetings are planned in the immediate future
Saudi Arabia’s Mediating Role
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key mediator in this diplomatic initiative, having already facilitated early contacts between the Trump administration and Moscow. The kingdom’s involvement recently helped secure a prisoner swap between the conflicting parties.
Broader Implications
This diplomatic initiative marks one of the first high-level, in-person discussions between Russian and U.S. officials in years. However, the exclusion of Ukraine and European allies from these talks raises questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of any potential agreements reached.
The development comes after a recent phone conversation between Presidents Trump and Putin, reflecting the U.S. administration’s campaign promise to end the conflict. However, Ukraine’s explicit rejection of talks conducted without its participation highlights the challenges ahead in achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.
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