U.S. and Russian officials are meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the nearly three-year war in Ukraine, highlighting a major shift in U.S. foreign policy.The talks happening highlight the Trump administration’s reversal of the U.S. isolating Russia and supporting Ukraine.Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are meeting with their Russian counterparts to restore U.S.-Russia relations and pave the way for a summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.There were no Ukrainian officials at today’s meeting, although the White House promised to include them in peace talks.The meeting has sent Ukraine and European allies scrambling to find a seat at the table.European leaders met Monday in France for emergency talks, calling for U.S. backing and working to find a common solution about whether to send troops and more aid to Ukraine.”Europeans are willing to step up, getting positively engaged, willing to help out in Ukraine post a peace deal, including with troops if necessary, but clearly with an American backup,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.”…here they say that territorial concessions are necessary. For what? So that Russians can now be destroyed like they are now being destroyed in the Kursk region? And in other regions of the Russian Federation?” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.The Trump administration suggested Ukraine abandon hopes of winning back all of its territory from Russia and joining NATO.General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, said he didn’t think it was reasonable or feasible to have everybody sitting at the table.Russia’s foreign minister was also dismissive of a role for Europe.The British prime minister plans to travel to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with Trump and act as a possible messenger between Europe and the administration.Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron Monday about the war in Ukraine, the meeting of European allies and the sitdown between the U.S. and Russia today in Saudi Arabia.
U.S. and Russian officials are meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the nearly three-year war in Ukraine, highlighting a major shift in U.S. foreign policy.
The talks happening highlight the Trump administration’s reversal of the U.S. isolating Russia and supporting Ukraine.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are meeting with their Russian counterparts to restore U.S.-Russia relations and pave the way for a summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
There were no Ukrainian officials at today’s meeting, although the White House promised to include them in peace talks.
The meeting has sent Ukraine and European allies scrambling to find a seat at the table.
European leaders met Monday in France for emergency talks, calling for U.S. backing and working to find a common solution about whether to send troops and more aid to Ukraine.
“Europeans are willing to step up, getting positively engaged, willing to help out in Ukraine post a peace deal, including with troops if necessary, but clearly with an American backup,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
“…here they say that territorial concessions are necessary. For what? So that Russians can now be destroyed like they are now being destroyed in the Kursk region? And in other regions of the Russian Federation?” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
The Trump administration suggested Ukraine abandon hopes of winning back all of its territory from Russia and joining NATO.
General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, said he didn’t think it was reasonable or feasible to have everybody sitting at the table.
Russia’s foreign minister was also dismissive of a role for Europe.
The British prime minister plans to travel to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with Trump and act as a possible messenger between Europe and the administration.
Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron Monday about the war in Ukraine, the meeting of European allies and the sitdown between the U.S. and Russia today in Saudi Arabia.