U.S. and Russian Officials to Meet in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine Peace Talks

In a significant diplomatic development, officials from the United States and Russia are set to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to initiate negotiations aimed at ending Moscow’s nearly three-year-long war in Ukraine. This was confirmed by a U.S. lawmaker and a source familiar with the planning.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Germany on Friday, stated that Ukraine was not invited to the discussions and emphasized that Kyiv would not engage with Russia without prior consultation with its strategic partners. The U.S. State Department has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the planned talks.

The initiative follows a series of diplomatic maneuvers by President Donald Trump, who assumed office on January 20 and has repeatedly pledged to swiftly bring the conflict to an end. On Wednesday, Trump held separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy, raising concerns among Washington’s European allies about being sidelined from the peace process. These apprehensions were further reinforced when Trump’s Ukraine envoy confirmed that European nations would not have direct participation in the talks. Instead, the U.S. sent a questionnaire to European capitals, inquiring about potential security guarantees they could provide for Kyiv.

Diplomatic Engagements and Geopolitical Implications

Earlier on Saturday, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio engaged in discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, with both parties agreeing to maintain regular contact in preparation for a potential meeting between Presidents Putin and Trump, according to Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, President Zelenskiy announced plans to visit the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, though he did not specify a timeline. Notably, he clarified that he has no scheduled meetings with U.S. or Russian officials during these visits.

On the battlefield, Moscow continues to hold control over approximately one-fifth of Ukraine and has been making incremental territorial gains in the eastern regions. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military faces significant manpower challenges as it struggles to maintain defensive positions, particularly in western Russia.

This diplomatic push marks a critical moment in the ongoing conflict, with the international community closely monitoring the outcomes of these high-stakes negotiations.