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Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has confirmed that key US officials will meet with Russian representatives on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, with discussions expected to take place in Saudi Arabia.
Among those attending are US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and White House Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff. However, it remains unclear which Russian officials will participate, though sources suggest the Kremlin is assembling a high-level delegation, possibly including Kirill Dmitriev, known for his role in US-Russia prisoner negotiations.
Ukraine Left Out of Talks, Zelenskyy Responds
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met US Vice President JD Vance in Germany on Friday, revealed that Kyiv was not invited to the upcoming Saudi talks. He emphasized that Ukraine will not engage with Russia before consulting its strategic allies.
Zelenskyy also announced upcoming diplomatic visits to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey but clarified that he has no plans to meet with US or Russian officials during those trips.
Trump Hints at Future Putin Meeting
Former US President Donald Trump has suggested a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia, though he stressed that no formal decision has been made.
Trump also acknowledged the role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in facilitating diplomatic efforts, including the recent release of American detainee Marc Fogel.
US-Russia Communications Continue
In a separate development, Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to engaging on global security issues, including the Ukraine conflict.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described the conversation as a step toward a high-level US-Russia meeting, potentially shaping future peace negotiations.
Battlefield and Diplomatic Developments
The war in Ukraine continues, with Russia controlling nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory and making slow advances in the east.
Ukraine, facing manpower shortages, has demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops and long-term security guarantees, including NATO membership. Meanwhile, Moscow has insisted that Kyiv cede territory and adopt permanent neutrality as conditions for any peace deal.
The US and its European allies have provided Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars in military aid since the war began. Trump has expressed support for Ukraine but has also sought greater accountability for US financial commitments to Kyiv.
Additionally, Washington and Kyiv are negotiating a deal involving US investment in Ukraine’s vast natural resources, though Zelenskyy has raised concerns over the draft agreement’s lack of security provisions.
Saudi Talks: A Step Toward a Peace Settlement?
With diplomatic efforts gaining momentum, the upcoming Saudi talks could lay the groundwork for high-level negotiations between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy. The ultimate goal remains ending the prolonged conflict and establishing a lasting peace agreement.
