The United States is set to engage in direct peace talks with Russia over the ongoing war in Ukraine, a move that has sparked unease among European allies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming days to meet with Russian officials, marking a significant shift in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. The discussions, which exclude European nations, have raised fears of potential concessions being made to Russia without broader international consensus.
Rubio will be accompanied by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, as confirmed by US officials speaking to CBS News. The decision to hold the talks in Saudi Arabia comes amid growing tensions between Washington and European capitals regarding the direction of US foreign policy on Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Kyiv had not been invited to the Saudi talks, further intensifying concerns over the negotiations’ legitimacy. While US Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg insisted that Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington would all be involved, the exclusion of European nations has raised alarms. In response, European leaders have planned an emergency summit in Paris next week to address the situation and coordinate their stance on the war.
Speaking on Saturday, Kellogg defended the decision to limit the number of participants, arguing that previous negotiation attempts had been hindered by the involvement of too many parties. “It may be like chalk on the blackboard, it may grate a little bit, but I am telling you something that is really quite honest,” Kellogg stated, emphasizing the need for a more streamlined approach to diplomacy.
This development follows a recent phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Trump announced that negotiations to end what he termed the “ridiculous war” in Ukraine would begin “immediately.” The call, which ended a three-year freeze in direct US-Russia communications, surprised European allies and fueled speculation that Washington may seek to conclude the war on terms less favorable to Ukraine.
Adding to European concerns, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently suggested that Ukraine’s NATO membership and full territorial restoration might be off the table. Furthermore, at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, US Vice President JD Vance criticized European nations, urging them to take greater responsibility for their own defense.
As the Saudi talks approach, the international community watches closely, wary of potential shifts in the balance of power and the long-term implications for Ukraine, Europe, and global stability.
