Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated a diplomatic overture by sending high-ranking officials to Saudi Arabia for discussions with the United States concerning a potential peace agreement for Ukraine.
This development was announced by the Kremlin on Monday, signaling a possible thaw in the frosty relations between Moscow and Washington.
According to Fox News, the Russian delegation, comprising Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, is set to engage with their American counterparts on Tuesday.
The agenda includes restoring diplomatic ties between the two nations, negotiating a peace deal for Ukraine, and potentially arranging a meeting between President Donald Trump and Putin. The U.S. delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and national security adviser Mike Waltz also in attendance, as confirmed by the State Department.
This diplomatic initiative follows a recent phone conversation between Trump and Putin, during which they agreed to commence negotiations. Trump stated, "We agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately." However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed skepticism regarding Putin's intentions. In a separate call with Trump, Zelenskyy warned, "I said that [Putin] is a liar," and cautioned against trusting the Russian leader. Despite his reservations, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Putin might be "a little bit scared" of Trump.
While the specifics of the negotiations remain undisclosed, Trumps representatives have emphasized the importance of building trust as a foundation for peace. Steve Witkoff remarked, "Those are details, and Im not dismissive of the details, theyre important. But I think the beginning here is trust-building. Its getting everybody to understand that this war does not belong continuing, that it should end."
In a related development, U.K. Prime Minister Kier Starmer has expressed a willingness to deploy British troops to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement to ensure the country's security. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Starmer stated, "I do not say that lightly. I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm's way." He further emphasized that securing Ukraine's safety is integral to the security of Europe and the U.K.
Zelenskyy, however, remains firm in his stance that any peace negotiations must include Ukraine. He declared, "I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine. Never. The war in Ukraine is against us, and it is our human losses." He expressed gratitude for the bipartisan support from the U.S. but insisted that no leader can negotiate with Putin regarding Ukraine without Ukrainian involvement.
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