Senior officials from the Trump administration are set to begin peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, according to a Republican lawmaker and two U.S. officials familiar with the plans. However, a Ukrainian official said Kyiv was not informed and currently has no plans to attend.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming days to initiate discussions aimed at ending the war. However, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine-Russia talks, retired General Keith Kellogg, will not be present.
European powers are also absent from the talks, which could cause tensions with NATO allies that have urged Trump to ensure their participation. The meeting would mark the first major negotiation between Russian and Ukrainian representatives since the war began in 2022.
Republican lawmaker Mike McCaul confirmed Waltz and Witkoff’s involvement, stating that the talks would aim to bring both sides to the table. Two U.S. officials also verified the plans but did not provide details on which Russian or Ukrainian representatives would take part. A Ukrainian government spokesperson and the State Department have not commented.
Trump told reporters Wednesday that he expects to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia. “We ultimately expect to meet. We’ll meet in Saudi Arabia, see if we can get something done.”
At the Munich Security Conference, European leaders emphasized Ukraine must be directly involved in any peace negotiations. “There will only be peace if Ukraine’s sovereignty is secured,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. “A dictated peace will therefore never find our support.”
McCaul echoed that sentiment, stating, “The president wants peace. But it’s got to be a deal where the Ukrainians are at the table in this deal now.”
The Munich conference highlighted European concerns over America’s commitment to NATO under Trump. U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s speech reportedly deepened anxieties, as European and U.S. officials warned that any peace deal must not simply pause the war and allow Russia to regroup.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out Ukraine joining NATO as part of any negotiations and said no American troops or NATO defense guarantees would be extended to a potential peacekeeping force. His comments sparked criticism, even from within his own party, leading him to partially walk them back.
The exclusion of Ukraine and European allies from potential talks has created unease among diplomats. However, one European official dismissed the complaints, saying, “If you have to insist you’re relevant, it likely means you’re not.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains skeptical of Putin’s intentions. “Trump said to me that Putin wants to stop the war. I said to him, ‘Putin is a liar. I hope that you will pressure him because I don’t trust him,’” Zelenskyy said at Munich.
Meanwhile, Trump administration officials have reportedly floated a proposal to Zelenskyy involving Ukraine handing over a portion of its rare earth minerals in exchange for continued U.S. military support.
