Rubio in Riyadh and Zelenskyy in UAE as Ukraine Peace Talks Loom
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Riyadh, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is in the UAE as peace talks regarding the Ukraine conflict are anticipated. Rubio will be meeting with officials to discuss the negotiations set to commence on Tuesday, while Zelenskyy remains uncertain about his future engagements. European officials stress the need for Ukraine’s participation in any talks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has flown into the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both leaders are arriving as peace talks are anticipated to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. Rubio is accompanied by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, although he has not indicated whom he will be meeting with during his time in Saudi Arabia.
Reports from Russian outlet Kommersant and Axios indicate that the peace negotiations are scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is reportedly preparing a visit to Riyadh for the discussions. Rubio has emphasized the complexity of the conflict, stating that “one phone call does not make peace” and underscoring the need for actionable steps towards achieving peace in the region.
This visit follows a conversation last week between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they agreed to commence negotiations immediately, also hinting at a possible face-to-face meeting in Saudi Arabia. Zelenskyy expressed surprise regarding the planned discussions in Saudi Arabia at the Munich Security Conference, noting he was unaware of the set meeting, despite previous invitations communicated to his administration.
During his visit to the UAE, Zelenskyy indicated that he hopes to visit both Saudi Arabia and Turkey, although he does not plan to engage with U.S. or Russian officials. European leaders at the Munich conference have asserted that Ukraine must be directly involved in the pending talks between Trump and Putin, emphasizing the EU’s exclusion from the negotiating table.
In Paris, some European leaders are slated to convene an emergency summit to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, as the involvement of Kyiv and Europe in the anticipated peace discussions remains uncertain.
In summary, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Riyadh and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s trip to the UAE signal an important juncture in efforts to negotiate peace regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As expected talks proceed, the necessity for Ukraine’s involvement and clarity surrounding the role of European leaders will be pivotal in determining the success of any agreements reached. The geopolitical landscape remains fluid, with leaders from both sides seeking pathways to a resolution.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
