Russian and U.S. officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss the Ukraine conflict. The meeting may include Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. officials including Marco Rubio. Concerns rise over the absence of Ukrainian participation, as negotiations are still in the preliminary stages.
On Tuesday, officials from Russia and the United States will convene in Saudi Arabia to discuss potential resolutions to the conflict in Ukraine, as reported by the Kommersant business newspaper, based on sources familiar with the discussions. While the specific representatives from Russia remain unspecified, there are indications that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov may participate.
Over the weekend, Mr. Lavrov engaged in a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is anticipated to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Monday after visiting Israel. Accompanying Mr. Rubio will be White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, who confirmed his travels to Saudi Arabia.
According to Axios, the delegations aim to prepare for a future meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. Bloomberg reported that President Putin has organized a team of senior officials for negotiations, including seasoned foreign policy envoy Yury Ushakov and other prominent figures.
An anonymous source from Saudi Arabia stated that Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, would also partake in the discussions to explore ways to enhance economic relations between Moscow and Washington. This initiative was initially suggested by President Trump following an unexpected call with President Putin.
Concerns have emerged regarding the direct U.S.-Russia talks occurring without the participation of Ukrainian officials, potentially neglecting Kyiv’s interests. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was present in Saudi Arabia but indicated no intention to meet with American or Russian officials.
Secretary Rubio emphasized the necessity of Ukraine’s involvement in any substantial negotiations, stating that the nation should be a part of discussions since it is the party that faced invasion. However, he noted the current lack of a formal negotiation process, highlighting that the existing communication was merely an expression of interest to resolve the conflict between President Putin and President Trump.
In conclusion, the upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Russian officials illuminate ongoing efforts to seek resolutions to the Ukraine war. While the talks may involve significant representatives, concerns remain regarding the exclusion of Ukrainian interests. Both nations have shown interest in dialogue; however, clarity on the formation of a negotiation process is still pending. The effectiveness and implications of these discussions will be closely monitored.
Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com
