Senior US and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to initiate talks aimed at ending Moscow’s nearly three-year war in Ukraine, according to a US lawmaker and sources familiar with the discussions.
The planned negotiations come as US President Donald Trump has vowed to swiftly resolve the conflict. On Wednesday, Trump held separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, raising concerns among European allies that they could be sidelined in the peace process.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul confirmed the upcoming talks on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, stating that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff would travel to Saudi Arabia. It remains unclear which Russian officials will attend the meeting, though sources indicate that the Kremlin is assembling a high-level negotiating team, potentially including political, intelligence, and economic figures such as Kirill Dmitriev, a key player in recent US-Russia prisoner negotiations.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who met with US Vice President JD Vance in Germany on Friday, stated that Kyiv was not invited to the Saudi talks and would not engage with Russia before consulting its strategic partners. While Zelenskyy announced upcoming visits to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, he clarified that he has no plans to meet with US or Russian officials during those trips.
Trump has hinted at a potential meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia in the near future but?underscored that no formal decision has been made. He also acknowledged the role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in facilitating the talks and recent diplomatic efforts, including the release of American detainee Marc Fogel.
In a separate development, Rubio held a call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday, during which both sides reaffirmed a commitment to engage on international issues, including the Ukraine war. The Russian Foreign Ministry described the conversation as a step toward preparing for a high-level Russian-American meeting.
The ongoing conflict has seen Russia control approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, with its forces making slow advances in the east. Ukraine, facing manpower shortages, has continued to push for the withdrawal of Russian troops and long-term security guarantees, including NATO membership. Meanwhile, Moscow has demanded Kyiv cede territory and adopt permanent neutrality as part of any peace settlement.
The US and European nations have provided Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars in military aid since the war began. Trump has stated that while he supports Ukraine, he seeks stronger assurances regarding US financial commitments to Kyiv. Additionally, Washington and Kyiv are negotiating a deal that could see U.S. investment in Ukraine’s vast natural resources, though Zelenskyy has expressed concerns that the draft agreement lacks essential security provisions.
As diplomatic efforts gain momentum, the upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia are expected to lay the groundwork for potential high-level negotiations between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy, with the ultimate goal of bringing an end to the prolonged conflict.
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