Ukrainian officials express confusion over US peace talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia

Ukrainian officials have expressed confusion and frustration over reports that senior Trump administration officials are set to meet with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia to initiate peace talks, potentially excluding Kyiv from the negotiations.

The American side claimed that Ukraine had been invited to the talks, but Ukrainian leaders denied this, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the diplomatic initiative, Caliber.Az reports via POLITICO.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, attending the Munich Security Conference on February 15, expressed bewilderment, stating, "I saw that someone said that there would be a meeting in Saudi Arabia. I do not know what it is." He further dismissed the possibility of peace talks without Ukraine’s involvement, saying, "This is not a serious conversation, it seems to me." Ukrainian officials, including Zelenskyy’s adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, were blunt in their response, asserting that there was nothing worth discussing with Russia, as Moscow was not prepared for meaningful negotiations.

The confusion grew after Republican Congressman Michael McCaul revealed during an event at the POLITICO Pub that U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, were preparing to meet Russian officials soon. This announcement fueled concerns in Europe that President Donald Trump might bypass Ukraine and its European allies in seeking a peace deal with Russia.

The ambiguity over who is leading U.S. efforts and what their objectives are has added to the anxiety. While Vice President JD Vance and Rubio made no public comments at the Munich conference, Trump’s special envoy for peace talks, Keith Kellogg, offered few details. Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko expressed frustration, saying, “People are very confused. Nothing is clear where we’re moving.”

This uncertainty has also sparked criticism from some members of Congress. Representative Mike Quigley, a Democrat from Illinois, sharply criticized the approach, stating that the U.S. was giving more respect to the aggressor, Russia, than to Ukraine, which had been invaded. “It signals that Ukraine can’t expect to be treated well in the negotiations,” Quigley added.

However, some American leaders, including Senator Lindsey Graham, urged a wait-and-see approach. “What matters is how it ends,” said Graham, emphasizing that the outcome, not the process, is what will determine success.

European leaders have also expressed concern over the exclusion of Ukraine and Europe from direct talks. Finnish President Alexander Stubb emphasized that Europe needs to prove it can be an active participant in the negotiations, acknowledging that the future of European security is at stake.

Kellogg, speaking at the conference, defended the U.S. approach, suggesting that limiting the number of parties involved in the talks would be necessary to achieve peace. Despite the uncertainty and frustration, discussions continue, with Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv expected to remain central to the dialogue moving forward.

As the diplomatic situation unfolds, the key question remains whether the peace talks will include all relevant parties, or whether decisions will be made without Ukraine's direct involvement. The outcome of these talks could have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine, Europe, and the future of U.S.-Russia relations.

By Vugar Khalilov