Trump and Putin Set for Saudi Meeting on Ukraine, China Offers Summit Proposals
U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine peace talks, following a significant phone call. China has proposed to host a summit to assist in ending the war. Concerns have arisen regarding Ukraine’s role in negotiations, with both leaders expressing a desire for peace and collaboration, amid calls for an inclusive approach involving Ukraine and its European partners.
On February 12, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia for discussions regarding peace in Ukraine. This development follows a phone conversation deemed “lengthy and highly productive” between the two leaders, which marks a significant warming in U.S.-Russian relations since Trump’s return to the White House. Trump stated that he and Putin agreed that the time had come to collaborate on resolving the ongoing conflict.
In light of these discussions, China has proposed hosting a summit to facilitate peace between the U.S. and Russia. The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese officials have approached Trump’s team to offer assistance in establishing peacekeeping measures once a truce is achieved. China aims to leverage its close relationship with Russia to foster negotiations, despite being portrayed as a neutral party by Beijing.
Following his conversation with Putin, President Trump contacted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had not been included in the earlier talks. Zelenskyy described the call as “meaningful,” as he relayed details of his previous discussions with Putin. Both leaders expressed a desire for peace, and they agreed to initiate high-level teams to expedite negotiations.
However, Trump’s dialogue with Putin has raised apprehensions regarding the inclusion of Ukraine in future discussions. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s statements implied that Ukraine’s ambitions for NATO membership and reclaiming pre-2014 borders are unrealistic goals. Zelenskyy’s administration firmly maintains that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain non-negotiable.
President Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, at the Munich Security Conference. Russian officials have remarked that a long-term resolution to the conflict must address what they consider the root causes, attributing blame to Western influence over Ukraine. Notably, a recent prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia has signaled a potential thaw in relations, with both sides expressing willingness to negotiate.
Despite concerns in Kyiv and among European capitals regarding the outcomes of Trump’s and Putin’s discussions, French, German, and Spanish foreign ministers have insisted on Ukraine’s pivotal role in any peace negotiations. They have emphasized that a “just and lasting peace” is unattainable without Ukraine’s involvement and that European partners must also be included in the process.
In summary, the prospect of a Trump-Putin meeting in Saudi Arabia raises significant concerns regarding Ukraine’s involvement in peace negotiations. While both leaders have expressed a desire to collaborate, the ramifications of their discussions remain uncertain. The involvement of China and the emphasis on preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty highlight the complexity of the situation as the international community calls for inclusive negotiations.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
