On Tuesday, U.S. and Russian officials held talks in Saudi Arabia that aimed at establishing a framework for a peace agreement in Ukraine. Key proposals included organizing a ceasefire, overseeing elections, and potentially planning a meeting between President Trump and President Putin. The discussions proceeded without Ukrainian representatives, raising concerns about their implications for the conflict and the peace process.

U.S. and Russian officials convened in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss potential peace agreements for Ukraine, with no Ukrainian representatives present. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the U.S. delegation, which included discussions on organizing a ceasefire and conducting elections in Ukraine as components of a broader peace framework. Additionally, they planned a possible meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed Rubio’s commitment to establishing a collaborative groundwork with Russia on multiple issues, not solely limited to Ukraine. Both sides have reportedly agreed to appoint senior-level teams aimed at formulating a strategy to bring an end to the ongoing conflict. Foreign diplomatic sources suggested that new elections in Ukraine could be a crucial element of any peace deal and noted that both nations hold doubts about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s re-election prospects.

Diplomatic sources also indicated that President Putin believes the likelihood of electing a more amenable presidential candidate is significant. This viewpoint fuels the Russian interest in new elections. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick publicly opposed the notion of enforced elections in Ukraine, highlighting internal dissent regarding proposed solutions. President Zelenskyy has asserted that Ukraine won’t accept any peace terms negotiated solely by the U.S. and Russia without Ukrainian participation, expressing concerns through recent communications with President Trump.

Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, articulated that the ongoing talks are primarily centered on building trust rather than finalizing specific peace terms. Expressing his skepticism about the negotiations, President Zelenskyy characterized President Putin as insincere and untrustworthy, claiming, “[Putin] is a liar” regarding his intentions for peace. Zelenskyy furthermore articulated his belief that Putin harbors some fear of Trump’s approach in negotiations.

Additionally, noteworthy is the absence of European representatives from these discussions, which coincides with a recent critical address by Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference aimed at European allies. In light of the conflict in Ukraine, U.K. Prime Minister Kier Starmer has proposed the potential deployment of British troops to ensure Ukraine’s security, noting that safeguarding Ukraine indirectly protects European security.

The war in Ukraine persists while diplomatic discussions continue in Riyadh, ultimately raising questions about the future dynamics of European, Russian, and U.S. relations regarding the conflict.

The recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia have set the stage for potential developments in the Ukraine conflict, despite the absence of Ukrainian participation. High-level discussions have proposed a framework involving ceasefires and elections, although skepticism remains regarding their feasibility and trust in Russian intentions. The contributions of European allies, particularly the U.K., highlight broader security implications tied to the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com

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