MUNICH — Senior officials from the Trump administration are set to travel to Saudi Arabia for peace negotiations with representatives from Russia and Ukraine. This development comes as part of an effort to seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict, according to a Republican lawmaker and two U.S. officials familiar with the initiative.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz will be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, the president’s envoy for the Middle East, as they embark on this diplomatic mission within the coming days. Notably, retired General Keith Kellogg, who serves as Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine-Russia discussions, will not participate in the talks, according to the officials.
Concerns over the absence of European negotiators
Further details have emerged suggesting that no representatives from other significant European nations are planned to attend the discussions. This absence has raised concerns among NATO allies, who have expressed the importance of being included in negotiations led by President Donald Trump.
“There will only be peace if Ukraine’s sovereignty is secured,”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asserted during the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing the necessity for Ukraine to be directly involved in any discussions between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added, “A dictated peace will therefore never find our support.”
The potential meeting in Saudi Arabia is anticipated to be a pivotal moment for Trump’s peace efforts, representing the first substantial gathering of Russian and Ukrainian negotiators since the conflict began in 2022. During a recent interview at the POLITICO Pub, Texas Republican Mike McCaul confirmed the travel plans for Waltz, Witkoff, and Rubio as they seek to facilitate dialogue between the two conflicting parties.
Trump’s expectations for dialogue with Putin
Trump mentioned to reporters on Wednesday his hope for a direct meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia, stating, “We ultimately expect to meet. We’ll meet in Saudi Arabia, see if we can get something done.”
However, the ongoing discussions come amid a backdrop of skepticism. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed deep mistrust regarding Putin’s intentions for genuine peace negotiations, reflecting on a prior conversation with Trump where he remarked, “Putin is a liar. I hope that you will pressure him because I don’t trust him.”
Meanwhile, European officials and U.S. lawmakers have voiced that any peace agreement must be designed to prevent a mere cessation of hostilities that could enable Russia to regroup and initiate further aggression. Ahead of the Munich conference, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO as part of any peace negotiation, which sparked criticism even from fellow Republicans.
As the Munich Security Conference proceeds, with numerous global leaders and national security officials in attendance, apprehensions about future American commitments to the transatlantic alliance have surfaced, particularly in light of a controversial speech by U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
In summary, the approach to these peace talks raises significant questions about the balance of power and the role of European nations in international negotiations, highlighting a complex geopolitical landscape as the world watches closely.