U.S. Officials Engage in Cautious Talks on Ukraine-Russia Peace

U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are heading to Saudi Arabia for discussions with Russian diplomats regarding the Ukraine conflict. Rubio expressed skepticism about immediate breakthroughs and highlighted the necessity for Ukraine’s involvement. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy firmly stated that no agreements should be made about Ukraine without its consent and criticized Putin’s intentions for peace negotiations.

U.S. officials are set to engage in discussions with Russian diplomats in Saudi Arabia aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio remains cautious about achieving an immediate resolution, emphasizing that peace processes require more than a single meeting to bear fruit. He expressed the need to discern whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is genuinely interested in negotiating a sustainable and fair end to the war.

President Donald Trump and President Putin had a conversation last week resulting in an agreement to initiate peace negotiations. Rubio, speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” noted the uncertainty surrounding Moscow’s representatives for the talks, asserting that ‘nothing’s been finalized yet.’ Despite this, there is hope for a broad dialogue encompassing Ukraine’s role in resolving the conflict.

The NATO allies and Ukraine were reportedly taken by surprise by Trump’s call with Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later commented that decisions regarding Ukraine should not be made without its inclusion. Rubio highlighted that genuine negotiations would necessitate Ukraine’s active participation, signaling that any forthcoming talks must center around Ukrainian interests.

In a separate NBC interview, President Zelenskyy expressed his firm stance against any agreements made between the U.S. and Russia concerning Ukraine, declaring, “I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine. Never.” He accused Putin of insincerity in his intention to seek peace, maintaining that the war directly affects Ukraine’s people and sovereignty.

Zelenskyy elaborated on his discussions with Trump, referring to Putin as a liar regarding his peace intentions. He stated the essential nature of U.S. military support for Ukraine, asserting that without it, the chances of prevailing against Russia diminish significantly. Currently, Russia controls around 20% of recognized Ukrainian territory, posing a considerable threat to Ukraine’s integrity.

The recent diplomatic efforts in Saudi Arabia reflect a complex and cautious approach towards ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While there are talks of negotiations, significant concerns remain about the genuine intent of the involved parties, especially Russia. The involvement of Ukraine in the negotiating process is crucial as President Zelenskyy emphasizes the importance of direct participation in decisions affecting Ukraine’s future.

Original Source: www.voanews.com