Russian and U.S. officials will meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov may represent Russia, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the American delegation. Concerns regarding Ukraine’s absence from these discussions have been raised, as its involvement is deemed essential for any legitimate negotiations.
On Tuesday, officials from Russia and the United States will convene in Saudi Arabia to discuss possible resolutions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as reported by the Kommersant newspaper. While it remains unclear which Russian representatives will participate, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has previously been mentioned as a likely delegate.
A phone conversation took place over the weekend between Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia after visiting Israel. Rubio is anticipated to be accompanied by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, both of whom are notable figures in the U.S. delegation.
Sources indicate that the talks aim to lay the groundwork for a future meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former President Donald Trump. Putin has reportedly organized a team of senior officials for the negotiations, including Foreign Intelligence Service chief Sergei Naryshkin and Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
On the economic front, Dmitriev is expected to address the potential for enhancing economic relations between Moscow and Washington during the discussions. This diplomatic initiative follows Trump’s proposal for a meeting in Saudi Arabia, which was prompted by a recent telephone conversation with Putin.
However, the exclusive nature of these U.S.-Russia talks has incited apprehension regarding the potential marginalization of Ukraine’s interests. Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended an event in Saudi Arabia over the weekend, he declared that he did not intend to engage with U.S. or Russian officials during this time.
Addressing concerns, Rubio emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in any genuine negotiations, asserting that “if it’s real negotiations,” Ukraine “will have to be involved because they were the ones that were invaded.” Nevertheless, he acknowledged that presently no structured negotiation process exists, stressing that dialogue between Trump and Putin merely reflected mutual interest in ending the conflict.
The upcoming U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia symbolize a significant diplomatic effort to potentially resolve the war in Ukraine. With key officials from both nations participating, including Lavrov and Rubio, these discussions could pave the way for a future meeting between Putin and Trump. However, concerns about the exclusion of Ukraine are paramount, as it remains crucial for the nation to be part of any negotiations regarding its future. The situation underscores the delicate balance of international diplomatic relations and the necessity of including all affected parties.
Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com
