US, Russia Set to Meet for Ukraine Peace Talks in Saudi Arabia

The Trump administration is initiating talks to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading a U.S. delegation to Saudi Arabia for discussions with Russian officials. This meeting marks a significant step in U.S.-Russia relations, with hopes of paving the way for a potential meeting between President Trump and President Putin. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has expressed concerns over the negotiations, emphasizing that Ukraine must be involved to ensure its interests are represented, particularly regarding U.S. military support. The Kremlin has confirmed that its top diplomats will attend the talks, but Ukraine will not be present, raising issues about the inclusivity of the discussions. The absence of Ukrainian officials has prompted concerns among Kyiv and its allies about the outcome of the negotiations. The urgency of these talks comes amid a backdrop of three years of conflict and shifting dynamics in international diplomacy.