Trump Administration Opens Peace Talks with Russia on Ukraine Conflict

RIYADH: The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it had agreed to hold further peace talks with Russia regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, marking a shift from its previous policy of isolating Russian President Vladimir Putin and rallying NATO support for Ukraine’s defense.

The initial discussions were held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, lasting four and a half hours, but Ukraine was notably excluded from the talks. This omission has sparked criticism, as Ukraine insists that any peace agreement must involve its direct participation.

Russian officials, during the talks, hardened their demands, notably rejecting Ukraine’s NATO membership. Ukraine has firmly stated it will not accept any peace deal imposed without its involvement. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that no decisions regarding Ukraine’s future should be made without its consent.

The talks have drawn criticism from some European leaders, who argue that the US is conceding to Russia, especially by excluding NATO membership for Ukraine and suggesting that Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim territory from Russia may be futile.

Despite these concerns, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the peace process must ensure a permanent cessation of hostilities, even if it requires discussions on territorial concessions and security guarantees. However, Russian officials remain firm, offering no concessions, which raises doubts about the talks’ potential for meaningful progress.

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The diplomatic efforts have alarmed both Kyiv and European capitals, where fears are growing that the negotiations could undermine Ukraine’s security and legitimacy, potentially legitimizing Russia’s aggression and destabilizing the region long-term. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy postponed a planned trip to Saudi Arabia, possibly to avoid endorsing the US-Russia talks without Ukraine’s involvement.