Trump and Putin to Meet in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine Peace Talks

President Trump plans to meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine peace talks, following a productive phone call. China has proposed hosting a summit to facilitate negotiations. Zelenskyy of Ukraine expressed concerns about potential exclusion from the talks. European leaders emphasized the need for Ukraine’s involvement in any agreements. The evolving dialogue reflects a complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the war.

On February 12, 2025, President Donald Trump announced his anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss peace talks regarding Ukraine. This development follows a significant phone call between the two leaders, marking a notable shift in relations. Additionally, China has proposed to host a summit to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing conflict, indicating its desire to play a larger role in peacekeeping efforts.

During their call, which lasted approximately one and a half hours, Trump and Putin agreed on the necessity of collaboration. Trump referred to the conversation as “lengthy and highly productive,” emphasizing that Ukraine was not being excluded from discussions despite concerns to the contrary. He noted, “We expect that he’ll come here, and I’ll go there — and we’re going to meet probably in Saudi Arabia the first time,” signifying ongoing diplomatic engagements.

In the aftermath of his talk with Putin, President Trump later reached out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Following their discussion, Zelenskyy characterized their conversation as “meaningful” and revealed that he shared insights from his interactions with Putin. Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskyy’s presidential office, announced an immediate initiative to establish high-level negotiation teams from both the U.S. and Ukraine.

Concerns have arisen regarding the potential impacts of the U.S.-Russia dialogue, particularly regarding the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conveyed to European allies that Ukraine’s expectations of reverting to pre-2014 borders were unrealistic, aligning with Russian interests. Despite this, Trump contended that Ukraine remains integral to the negotiations and that Hegseth’s remarks did not signify an abandonment of Kyiv’s aspirations.

At the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy is expected to meet with key U.S. officials, seeking security guarantees as part of any agreement with Russia. The Kremlin described its engagement with Trump as hopeful for peace negotiations but reiterated the need to address the conflict’s underlying causes, which they attribute to Western influences in Ukraine. Amid these tensions, reactions from European officials reflect skepticism towards negotiations conducted without Ukraine’s direct involvement.

This week saw a diplomatic thaw with a prisoner exchange involving U.S. and Russian citizens, a development Trump commended, praising Putin for his actions. However, European leaders remained cautious, emphasizing that any resolution must ensure Kyiv’s participation to yield a fair and lasting peace. The evolving landscape of negotiations signals a potential shift, but the complexity of the situation warrants vigilance and clarity regarding the involved parties’ interests.

The recent communication between Presidents Trump and Putin indicates a potential thaw in relations, with a meeting planned in Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine. Concerns about Ukraine’s exclusion from negotiations have been voiced, prompting Trump to assert the country’s importance in the process. Meanwhile, China’s offer to host a summit suggests a broader involvement in peace efforts. Ultimately, the situation remains delicate, as European leaders stress the necessity of including Ukraine in any peace agreement.

Original Source: www.thehindu.com