Trump and Putin will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine.

 

On Wednesday, February 12, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia for peace discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

 

Following a surprising phone call between the two leaders, this announcement marks the first confirmed contact since Trump returned to the White House.

 

The "long and highly productive" conversation had Trump and Putin agreeing that it was time to work together towards a resolution for Ukraine. The call lasted nearly an hour and a half, with both leaders expressing a desire to “stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine,” according to Trump’s post on his Truth Social platform.

 

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who played a vital role in a recent Russia-U.S. prisoner exchange, is expected to participate in a meeting that is likely to take place soon. Following the talks with Saudi Arabia, Trump has been invited by the Kremlin to visit Moscow.

 

Trump, who has been advocating for a swift resolution to the nearly three-year-long conflict, pointed out that Ukraine's desire to join NATO, a crucial demand of Russia, was not practical. He denied the claim that Ukraine would not be a part of the peace process, stating that Kyiv's interests would be taken into account. Putin and Trump have agreed to begin negotiations immediately, with teams from both sides working on a potential deal, according to Trump's statement.

 

Despite being absent from Putin's call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Trump later, who assured Zelensky that both he and Putin were in favor of peace. Zelensky reiterated the Ukrainian position that its 'independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty' cannot be questioned.

 

The announcement of the talks has caused anxiety in Ukraine and European capitals, where some fear that the U.S. could be giving up to Russian demands. Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon chief, has suggested that Ukraine's objective of returning to its pre-2014 borders is unrealistic and NATO membership is unrealistic, resulting in Moscow's demands.

 

Signs of a thaw in relations have been shown in Trump's phone call with Putin, which included a prisoner swap deal earlier this week. While there are those who support Trump's peace efforts, critics, including Ukrainian officials, have voiced concerns about Ukraine's exclusion from the negotiations.

 

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Spain have stated that any peace agreement must involve Ukraine and its European partners. The international community is keeping a close eye on developments as the situation unfolds, particularly as Ukraine demands robust security guarantees in any potential deal with Russia.