Washington, D.C. (February 12, 2025) – In a surprising development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he expects to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia for peace talks regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This announcement follows a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call between the two leaders, marking their first confirmed contact since Trump’s return to the White House.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Meeting Plans:
- President Trump revealed that he and President Putin plan to meet in Saudi Arabia “in the not too distant future” to discuss peace negotiations for Ukraine. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who played a key role in a recent Russia-U.S. prisoner exchange, will also be involved.
- Productive Conversation:
- The phone call between Trump and Putin lasted nearly one-and-a-half hours. Both leaders agreed that “the time has come to work together” and discussed the need to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.
- Ukraine’s Involvement:
- Trump denied allegations that Ukraine is being excluded from the negotiations. He later called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not included in the call with Putin, to share details of his talks with the Russian leader. Trump emphasized that both Putin and Zelensky “want to make PEACE.”
Concerns and Reactions
The announcement has sparked concerns that Ukraine may be left out of talks on its own fate. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth told European counterparts that Ukraine’s dream of returning to its pre-2014 borders is an “illusionary goal” and that NATO membership for Ukraine is “not realistic.” These comments align with key demands from Moscow.
Diplomatic Efforts and Future Meetings
President Trump has suggested a deal involving Kyiv’s rare earth minerals in exchange for continued U.S. military aid. Zelensky is set to meet U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference on February 14, following a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Kyiv.
Recent Developments
The announcement comes amid signs of a thaw in relations, highlighted by a recent prisoner swap deal. Moscow freed U.S. teacher Marc Fogel, while Washington released Russian cryptocurrency kingpin Alexander Vinnik.
As the international community closely watches these developments, the potential for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict remains uncertain, with European leaders insisting that any lasting peace must involve Kyiv and its European partners.