Senior officials from the Trump administration are set to meet with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential peace deal for Ukraine.
U.S. Representative Michael McCaul stated in Munich that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff will be travelling to Saudi Arabia.
In February 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine. Approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory is under Russian occupation, and Russia has insisted that Kyiv relinquish territory and commit to permanent neutrality as conditions for any peace agreement.
Ukraine is demanding the withdrawal of Russian forces from captured territories and is seeking NATO membership or similar security guarantees to deter future attacks from Moscow.
McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that it was his understanding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been invited to participate in the Saudi talks.
McCaul said the talks were aimed at arranging a meeting with Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy “to finally bring peace and end this conflict.”
Zelenskyy stated on Friday that he would be visiting the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, though he did not specify when. However, the Ukrainian leader stated that he did not intend to meet with U.S. or Russian officials during those visits.
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine would never agree to any peace agreements reached without its knowledge or participation. Ukraine has consistently stated its desire to collaborate with the United States and Europe to develop a joint strategy before any Trump-Putin meeting.
Trump’s independent approach to Putin on Wednesday, along with apparent concessions regarding Ukraine’s primary demands, sparked concern in both Kyiv and among European allies in NATO, who expressed fears that the White House might strike a deal without their involvement.
European officials adopted a very firm stance, stating that any agreement would be impossible to implement unless they and the Ukrainians were involved in its negotiation.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump stated that Ukraine would have a seat at the table during any peace negotiations with Russia to end the war.