In an important diplomatic development, Saudi Arabia is set to host US-Russia talks aimed at negotiating an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, a conflict that has been going on for three years.
Despite being a key member of OPEC, Russia’s participation in these talks marks an important moment as global powers push for peace amidst the war’s far reaching consequences.
According to reports in the public domain, while the details and timing of the talks remain unclear, US officials confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff are slated to participate.
US President Donald Trump has tasked his senior team to initiate discussions, with the aim of reaching a resolution that could stabilize the region and curb further escalation of the conflict. However, Ukraine has expressed concerns over the exclusion of its representatives from these talks.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Kyiv had not received any invitations to the Saudi-hosted negotiations. “We don’t have any papers, any invitations. It’s something strange to speak in this case without consulting with our strategic partners,” he said, underlining Ukraine’s position on not engaging with Russia until its European allies are involved. The Ukrainian leader also reiterated that Russia is not considered a strategic partner by Ukraine, fueling apprehension about being sidelined in the peace process.
The absence of Ukrainian representation has caused tension, with senior Ukrainian officials and EU leaders expressing their opposition to any peace talks that would exclude them. Mykhaylo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelenskyy, has stated, “There are no negotiators who will represent Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.”
Furthermore, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned against any ‘quick fix’ or ‘dirty deal’ to resolve the conflict without the involvement of both Ukraine and Europe, stressing that lasting peace cannot be achieved without their input.
The war in Ukraine has triggered broader concerns about the stability of the region, with Russia’s influence extending into areas such as energy politics, particularly through its role in OPEC. Saudi Arabia, a key OPEC member, is well positioned to mediate these talks, given its economic and strategic ties with both Russia and the West.
The prospect of a resolution to the war is being pushed forward by US officials, with Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg suggesting that negotiations could lead to substantial progress in a matter of weeks.