Russia-US Talks to Address Ukraine Conflict

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The discussions will focus on resolving the Ukraine conflict and rebuilding diplomatic ties between Russia and the US. US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will join Rubio for meetings with Lavrov and the Russian delegation. Both officials plan to arrive in Riyadh later on Monday. This meeting marks one of the most high-profile engagements between US and Russian officials in recent years. Their discussions aim to set the stage for a future presidential summit between the two leaders.

Kremlin’s Statement on the Meeting

On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov, a top foreign policy adviser to President Vladimir Putin, would travel to Riyadh for these talks. Peskov stated, “The meeting with US officials on Tuesday will focus on restoring US-Russia relations as a whole. Preparations for future discussions on Ukraine and a potential presidential summit will also be on the agenda.” Peskov avoided commenting on claims that Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, might attend the talks. He also declined to clarify whether Trump and Putin would meet later this month in Riyadh. The US State Department, through spokesperson Tammy Bruce, confirmed that Rubio, Waltz, and Witkoff will meet the Russian officials in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia’s Role in the Talks

Saudi Arabia has taken an active role in facilitating contacts between Moscow and US officials. Recent efforts include mediating a prisoner exchange last week as part of its broader diplomatic strategy in global conflicts. On Saturday, Rubio spoke with Lavrov by phone. On Sunday, he commented that the coming days would show whether Putin is serious about negotiating peace.

Ukraine’s Position

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also visiting the region. He arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and plans to extend his trip to Saudi Arabia and Turkey. However, Zelensky confirmed that he will not engage with any Russian or US delegates. Ukraine has also not been invited to the Saudi-hosted talks.

Rubio’s Discussions with Saudi Leaders

Rubio will also meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss several issues, including Gaza. As part of their agenda, the US has proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring Arab countries, with Washington leading Gaza’s reconstruction efforts. This proposal has drawn strong criticism across the Arab world. Many Palestinians in Gaza have expressed their fears of forced displacement.

The Gaza Situation

The Gaza Strip continues to suffer significant damage after renewed fighting began with a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli reports, this attack killed around 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the abduction of 250 individuals. In response, Israel launched an offensive that led to more than 48,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by Gaza’s health authorities, before a ceasefire was reached last month. Riyadh, along with other Arab states, has rejected proposals to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Instead, Saudi Arabia role has worked to craft alternative solutions. Its approach includes establishing a Gulf-backed reconstruction fund for Gaza and reducing Hamas’s influence in governance.

Saudi Arabia’s Conditions for Israel

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has insisted that Saudi Arabia will not normalize its ties with Israel without a clear pathway to creating a Palestinian state. This remains aligned with the collective demands of the Arab world in resisting any plans that displace Palestinians.

Rubio’s Visit to Israel

Before arriving in Riyadh, Rubio visited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. During their meeting, Rubio affirmed US support for Israel and stressed solidarity in responding to regional threats, particularly from Iran. by pakishnews.com