Trump Advances Diplomacy in Ukraine War with Putin Meeting in Saudi Arabia
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Synopsis
In a bid to resolve the ongoing Ukraine War, President Trump is set to meet with President Putin in Saudi Arabia. The discussions follow a recent call with both leaders, emphasizing the urgent need for peace and negotiations. Key figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will participate in fostering dialogue.
Key Takeaways
- Trump plans a pivotal meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia.
- The US is establishing a negotiating team for Ukraine War discussions.
- Concerns arise over the Gaza ceasefire amidst the Ukraine conflict.
- Trump's diplomacy marks a shift from Biden's approach.
- A nuclear treaty with Russia is also on the agenda.
New York, Feb 13 (NationPress) In an effort to bring an end to the Ukraine War, US President Donald Trump has announced plans to meet Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia.
Following a phone conversation with Putin on Wednesday morning, he informed reporters in Washington that there will be multiple meetings, stating, "the first time we'll meet in Saudi Arabia".
He added, "We anticipate that he'll visit here, and I'll go there (to Russia)".
This lengthy call with Putin marked their first formal discussion since Trump began his second term, during which he also spoke with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In posts on Truth Social, he emphasized that the US would promote negotiations to conclude the war and is establishing a negotiating team that includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
He mentioned that a meeting is scheduled for Friday in Munich, where Vice President J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio will lead the US delegation.
They will attend the Munich Security Conference, which draws foreign affairs, defense, and security officials from various nations.
Trump stated on Truth Social that he and Putin have agreed, "we want to halt the millions of deaths occurring in the War with Russia/Ukraine".
He noted that Zelensky, like President Putin, desires to achieve PEACE. They discussed various topics related to the conflict.
Trump has significant stakes in resolving the Ukraine War, having claimed during his campaign that he could end it within 24 hours of taking office.
However, the situation proved to be more complex, and the discussions with Putin and Zelensky, along with the formation of a negotiating mechanism, mark the first crucial steps toward that goal.
Earlier on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined conditions for a potential resolution to the Ukraine War, deeming a return to pre-2014 borders unrealistic, following Russia's annexation of Crimea.
This stance could pose a challenge for Zelensky.
During a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels, Hegseth stated that Kyiv should not pursue NATO membership, and that the US would refrain from deploying troops for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, which should remain outside NATO's umbrella.
The choice of Saudi Arabia as the meeting location with Putin also allows for discussions regarding Gaza, where the Saudi monarchy holds considerable influence and interests.
Trump had claimed during his campaign that a ceasefire in Gaza would occur, with Hamas releasing Israeli hostages even before his inauguration.
While this did transpire, the Gaza agreement shows signs of falling apart, as Trump has complicated matters by suggesting that the US would take control of the Palestinian territory, displacing its inhabitants.
The impending Saudi visit may assist in revitalizing the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The timeframe for the meeting in Saudi Arabia is likely limited, as Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, begins at the end of the month.
This meeting will mark the first direct encounter between the leaders of the two nations in nearly four years.
This represents a significant shift in US diplomacy compared to the approach of former President Joe Biden, who last met Putin in 2021 and had effectively sidelined him by stating, "Putin cannot stay in power".
In his Truth Social post, Trump adopted a notably conciliatory stance toward Russia, reminiscing about the close cooperation between the US and Russia during World War II.
With Putin, he remarked, "we each discussed the strengths of our respective nations and the great benefits we could achieve by working together in the future".
Worries in the US have grown regarding the strengthening ties between Russia and China, largely due to Moscow's isolation following its invasion of Ukraine, making it a US priority to weaken that alliance.
Additionally, the US must address a nuclear treaty with Russia that is set to expire next year.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov indicated this week that the chances for renewing the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which governs the number of strategic nuclear warheads and missile deployment, remain uncertain.
