On 18 February 2025American and Russian delegations are scheduled to meet in Riyadh Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and address the broader scope of US & Russian relations. Meeting is set to occur without the participation of Ukrainian officials. American delegation members are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy for Middle East Steve Witkoff. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov will represents Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the talks initiated at the request of Vladimir Putin aim to restore full spectrum of Russian and American relations and lay groundwork for potential negotiations on a settlement in Ukraine as well possible meeting between two presidents.But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he is not invited to the meeting and learned about it through media reports. He also stated he has no plans to meet with the US or Russian delegations during his trip to Saudi Arabia. Mykhailo Podolyak an advisor to Zelensky denied that Ukraine would participate in the US-Russia talks. Despite this a Ukrainian government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is in Saudi Arabia to prepare for Zelensky's visit and to sign economic agreements with regional countries.
Absence of Ukrainian representation at initial meeting has raised concerns among European officials who highlights that Kyiv must not be sidelined in negotiations. NBC News reports that US intends to hold separate bilateral meetings with Russia and Ukraine with a joint negotiation round planned after these discussions. Trump has affirmed that Zelensky would have a say in the process and has mentioned the possibility of allowing European nations to purchase US-made weapons for Ukraine. Some analysts believe that the talks between US and Russian officials are intended to pave the way for a potential summit between Presidents Trump and Putin later in February. Saudi Arabia expressed its willingness to host a Trump & Putin meeting and act as a mediator. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio already arrived in Saudi Arabia and meeting is expected to push forward potential negotiations between the America and Russia the situation remains closely monitored.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the talks initiated at the request of Vladimir Putin aim to restore full spectrum of Russian and American relations and lay groundwork for potential negotiations on a settlement in Ukraine as well possible meeting between two presidents.But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he is not invited to the meeting and learned about it through media reports. He also stated he has no plans to meet with the US or Russian delegations during his trip to Saudi Arabia. Mykhailo Podolyak an advisor to Zelensky denied that Ukraine would participate in the US-Russia talks. Despite this a Ukrainian government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is in Saudi Arabia to prepare for Zelensky's visit and to sign economic agreements with regional countries.
Absence of Ukrainian representation at initial meeting has raised concerns among European officials who highlights that Kyiv must not be sidelined in negotiations. NBC News reports that US intends to hold separate bilateral meetings with Russia and Ukraine with a joint negotiation round planned after these discussions. Trump has affirmed that Zelensky would have a say in the process and has mentioned the possibility of allowing European nations to purchase US-made weapons for Ukraine. Some analysts believe that the talks between US and Russian officials are intended to pave the way for a potential summit between Presidents Trump and Putin later in February. Saudi Arabia expressed its willingness to host a Trump & Putin meeting and act as a mediator. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio already arrived in Saudi Arabia and meeting is expected to push forward potential negotiations between the America and Russia the situation remains closely monitored.
