Trump Administration to Convene Separate Sessions with Russian and Ukrainian Officials in Saudi Arabia

Top Trump administration officials will meet this week with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia to discuss the ongoing conflict. Meetings follow prior dialogues and aim to establish a peace agenda. President Trump indicated potential sanctions against Russia while US officials aim to repair relations with Ukraine amid ongoing tensions.

This week, top officials from the Trump administration are set to engage in separate meetings with delegations from Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, as reported by CNN on March 9. President Trump remarked, “Big meetings coming up, as you know, in Saudi Arabia. That’s going to include Russia, but Ukraine, we’ll see if we can get something done.”

These upcoming discussions follow a series of earlier meetings, including a significant US-Russian dialogue on February 18, where a three-step peace agenda was suggested: a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine, and a final agreement. Additionally, these meetings are in the wake of a recent Oval Office encounter between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which Trump and Vance expressed frustrations towards Zelensky regarding the ongoing conflict.

Efforts to mend US-Ukraine relations have been ongoing since this diplomatic exchange. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is among the US officials scheduled to converge with Ukrainian counterparts in Jeddah. Furthermore, the Ukrainian delegation is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh prior to their discussions with the US.

US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg commented on the situation, likening American pressures on Ukraine to “something like hitting a mule with a board on the nose – you got their attention,” indicating that the suspension of military aid was a strategic move to compel Ukraine to negotiate. Moreover, Trump hinted at imposing significant financial sanctions on Russia, stating he was “seriously considering implementing massive Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs against Russia until a ceasefire and FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT is reached.”

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, confirmed on March 10 the absence of US-Russia meetings scheduled for this week, further highlighting the complexities surrounding these discussions.

In conclusion, the forthcoming meetings between Trump administration officials and their Russian and Ukrainian counterparts represent a continued effort to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Following prior dialogues and diplomatic exchanges, the discussions in Saudi Arabia seek to explore pathways for peace. The involvement of key figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underscores the international dimensions of this diplomatic engagement. The implications of proposed sanctions against Russia and the strategic pressures on Ukraine illustrate the nuanced challenges present in achieving a resolution.

Original Source: euromaidanpress.com