A senior delegation from US President Donald Trump’s administration is set to participate in negotiations in Saudi Arabia with Russian and Ukrainian officials, aiming to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to US officials, the discussions are part of Trump’s broader diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
The delegation leading these talks includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Trump’s Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff. This initiative follows Trump’s first official conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since returning to office, during which both leaders agreed to commence discussions on a possible ceasefire.
While the exact timeline for the meetings remains undisclosed, Rubio had already scheduled a Middle East visit, beginning with a trip to Israel. Before heading to Saudi Arabia, Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reaffirming the US administration’s commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff, a key negotiator in this initiative, recently played a significant role in securing the release of US detainee Marc Fogel from Russia. His involvement in the negotiations led to Trump’s direct engagement with Putin. Following their conversation, Trump instructed his senior team—including Rubio, Waltz, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe—to engage in diplomatic efforts with Russia.
The sudden move by the Trump administration to hold direct negotiations with Russia has raised concerns among Ukraine and its European allies, who fear being sidelined in critical discussions about Ukraine’s future. Given the scale of the ongoing war—the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II—Kyiv remains apprehensive about any agreements reached without its direct involvement.
