Rubio Insists Ukraine, Europe Integral to US-Russia Peace Talks in Saudi Arabia

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that Ukraine and Europe will be integral to any serious negotiations aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine, despite concerns about their exclusion from initial talks in Saudi Arabia. President Trump expressed optimism for peace following a conversation with Russian President Putin, while Rubio stressed that genuine progress requires more than just dialogue. European leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, expressed anxiety over potential sidelining in negotiations, prompting a clarification from Trump’s administration that Europe would still be consulted. Rubio emphasized that the upcoming discussions serve to gauge Russia's commitment to peace and that any further negotiations would necessarily involve Ukraine and European nations. The talks coincide with U.S. efforts to explore investment opportunities in Ukraine's natural resources, raising concerns about concessions to Russia. As diplomatic efforts continue, the U.S. aims for a resolution while maintaining support for Ukraine and its European allies.