Senior officials from the United States and Russia are set to engage in crucial talks on improving bilateral relations and seeking an end to the Ukraine conflict, with discussions scheduled for Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. This move, signifying a possible shift in the U.S. stance towards Russia under the Trump administration, aims to facilitate a future summit between President Trump and President Putin.
Despite the talks, Ukrainian officials will not be present, raising concerns in Kyiv and among European allies as they worry about outcomes unfavourable to Ukraine. The U.S. aims to assess Russia’s sincerity about wanting peace and whether negotiations can truly commence. While Trump indicated that Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy would be involved, Zelenskyy firmly stated that his country has not received an invitation and will reject any agreements made without Ukraine’s participation.
Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Moscow would not entertain any territorial concessions. The Kremlin’s focus will be on restoring the breadth of U.S.-Russian relations and preparing for peace talks, although the absence of Ukrainian representatives casts doubt on the potential effectiveness of these negotiations. As a result, Western nations are urging for their inclusion in any discussions relating to Ukraine’s future.