U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Arabian officials in Riyadh on Monday, ahead of crucial talks aimed at negotiating an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This diplomatic effort comes as U.S. and Russian diplomats prepare for discussions scheduled for Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, where they will explore potential pathways to peace in the war that has raged since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Rubio was accompanied by National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Earlier in the day, Rubio also spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud after arriving in Riyadh from Israel, marking his first official trip to the Middle East as Secretary of State.
The upcoming talks between U.S. and Russian representatives will occur without the presence of Ukrainian officials, a fact that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized. He stated that any agreements reached without Ukraine’s involvement would not be accepted by his government. The discussions are intended to lay the groundwork for a potential summit between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Trump having recently indicated that he and Putin are committed to resuming negotiations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is leading the Russian delegation, expressed hope for a thaw in U.S.-Russia relations, which he described as having been in an "absolutely abnormal period" of estrangement. Lavrov emphasized the importance of listening to U.S. partners during the talks, which are expected to focus on restoring bilateral relations and addressing the Ukrainian situation.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce highlighted that the primary goal of the meeting is to assess the seriousness of the Russian side regarding peace talks and to determine if detailed negotiations can commence. Bruce noted that while Ukraine will not be at the table, any real peace negotiations would require Ukrainian participation.
As the diplomatic efforts unfold, French President Emmanuel Macron is convening an emergency meeting of European leaders to discuss the ongoing conflict. This highlights the broader international concern and the need for a unified approach to addressing the crisis in Ukraine.
The situation remains tense, with ongoing debates about the future of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the potential concessions that may arise from negotiations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has suggested that NATO membership for Ukraine might be unrealistic, and there are discussions regarding the possibility of Ukraine having to forfeit significant territory as part of a settlement.
Zelenskyy has made it clear that Ukraine is not willing to accept any outcomes from the talks that do not involve its input, emphasizing the importance of Ukrainian sovereignty in any potential agreements. As the U.S. and Russia prepare for their discussions, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution to a conflict that has caused immense suffering and geopolitical instability.