Saudi Arabia to Host Ukraine War Peace Talks

In a bold diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump is dispatching a senior team to Saudi Arabia to initiate peace talks with Russia and Ukraine, aiming to bring an end to the nearly three-year-old war. The delegation, which includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff, is tasked with brokering negotiations amid ongoing tensions between the two warring nations.

The timing of the talks has raised eyebrows, and U.S. officials indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders may not be involved in the initial stages of these discussions, fueling concerns over being sidelined in the peace process.

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, caused a stir at the Munich Security Conference when he suggested that Europe might not be "at the table" for the peace talks. This statement shocked many, particularly within the European Union, who have long advocated for a more active role in resolving the conflict. Despite these concerns, Kellogg assured the audience that Ukraine would be involved, stating, “Of course, the Ukrainians are going to be there.”

The exclusion of European representatives has raised alarms in Kyiv, with EU officials emphasizing that no peace deal could be considered legitimate without the involvement of both Ukraine and European countries. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that any quick fix or "dirty deal" would fail, insisting that Ukraine must be an integral part of the negotiation process.

Meanwhile, Secretary Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, discussing potential areas for cooperation between the two nations. Despite this, Russian and U.S. officials agreed to maintain an open communication channel to address long-standing issues in bilateral relations.

At the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated calls for Europe to form a unified military force to defend against Russian aggression. His remarks come amid concerns that the U.S. might reduce its presence in Europe, making it imperative for European nations to take a more active role in their own defense.

International Support for Ukraine

Elsewhere, the G7, consisting of the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Canada, Japan, and Italy, expressed unwavering support for Ukraine. In a joint statement, the G7 reaffirmed its commitment to helping Ukraine achieve a durable peace and strong security guarantees to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated the U.K.’s commitment to Ukraine’s irreversible path to NATO membership, asserting that no talks on Ukraine’s future should occur without its direct involvement.